illi^' 


COL.  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  FLOWERS 
MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
DURHAM,  N.  C. 


PRESENTED  BY 

W.  W.  FLOWERS 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2010  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/reportofgeneraljOOconf 


KEPORT 


OF 


GENERAL  JOSEPH 'E.  JOHNSTON, 


OF    HIS    OPERATIONS    IX   THE 


DFPAIITMENTS  OF  MISSISSIPPI  AND  EAST  LOUISIANA 


TOGETHER  WITH 


LIEOT.  m?Ml  PEMBERTOiVS  REPORT 


OF 


THE  BATTLES  OF  PORT  GIBSON,  BAKER'S  CREEK. 


AND 


THE  SIEGE  OF  VICKSBURG. 


PUBLISHED  BY  ORDER  OF  CONGRESS. 


R.  M.  ^MJTH.^^IJC  I'RIN'JKK, 

1  64. 


i 


MESSAGE  OF   THE    PRESIDENT. 

Richmond,  Va.,  Dec.  29,   1863. 
To  the  House  of  Representatives  : 

In  response  to  your  resolution  of  the  1 1th  inst.,  I  herewith  trans- 
mit for  your  information  a  communication  from  the  Secretary  of  War, 
covering  a  copy  of  the  report  of  General  J.  E.  Johnston  of  "his 
operatiT)ns  in  Mississippi  during  the  months  of  May,  June,  and  July, 
1863,"  together  with  a  copy  of  the  report  of  Lieutenant  General 
J.  C.  Pemberton  of  his  operations  during  the  same  time. 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS, 


COMMUNICATION  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR. 

Confederate  States  of  Amfrica, 
War  Department, 
Richmond,  Va.,  Dec.  24,  1863. 

To  the  President  of  the  Confederate  States  : 

Sir  :  In  response  to  a  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
I  have  the  honor  to  submit  herewith  the  report  of  General  J  E. 
Johnston  of  his  operations  in  the  Department  of  Mississippi  and  East 
Louisiana.  In  natural  connection  with  this,  I  likewise  stnd  the 
report  of  Lieutenant  General  J.  C.  Pemberton  of  the  battles  of  Port 
Gibson,  Biker's  Creek,  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  which  is  among 
the  reports  culled  for  by  the  House  of  Representatives.  With  the 
latter  is  presented  a  letter  from  the  department  asking  further  expla- 
nations on  some  points  of  the  report  ;md  the  answer  made  thereto  at 
the  time  by  General  Pemberton.  Subsequently,  after  seeing  the 
report  of  General  Johnston,  General  Pemberton  considered  his  reply 
to  that  letter  as  not  so  fully  elucidating  the  points  of  inquiry  as  the 
additional  details  presented  by  General  Johnston  rendered  appro- 
priate and  necessary.  He,  therefore,  asked  the  privilege  of  making 
a  further  reply,  which,  in  justice  to  himself,  was  accorded.  That 
reply  is  likewise  annexed,  and  thus  the  whole  subject,  it  is  believed, 
•will  be  fairly  and  satisfactorily  submitted  in  appropriate  connection. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


iF.n*>07 


n 


-^u  ^ 

1;^^ 


GENERAL  JOHNSTON'S  REPORT 


OF    OPERATIONS 


IN  MISSISSIPPI  AND  EAST  LOUISIANA. 


Meridian,  Miss.,  Nov.   1,  1863. 

General  S.  Cooper, 

Adjutant  and  Infpecior  General: 

Sir:  The  following  report  of  my  operations  in  the  Department  of  Mis- 
sissippi and  East  Louisiana,  h  respectfully  CiTered  as  a  substitute  for 
the  imperfect  one  forwarded  by  me  from  Jackson  on  May  27,  1863. 

While  on  my  way  to  Mississippi,  where  I  thought  my  presence  had 
become  necessary,  I  received,  in  Mobile,  on  March  12th,  the  follow- 
ing telegram  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  dated  March  9th  : 

"  Order  General  Bragg  to  report  to  the  War  Department  for  con- 
ference. Assume  yourself  direct  charge  of  the  Array  of  Middle 
Tennessee.  " 

In  obedience  to  this  order,  I  at  once  proceeded  to  Tullahoma,  On 
my  arrival,  I  informed  the  Secretary  of  War,  by  a  telegram  of  March 
19th,  that  General  Bragg  could  not  then  be  sent  to  Richmond,  as  he 
has  ordered,  on  account  of  the  critical  condition  of  his  family. 

On  the  Kith  of  April,  I  repeated  this  to  the  President,  and  added  : 
"  Being  unwell  then,  I  afterwards  became  sick,  and  am  not  now  able 
to  serve  in  the  field.  General  Bragg  is,  therefore,  necessary  here.  " 
On  the  28th  my  unfitnoRs  for  service  in  the  field  w?-s  reported  to  the 
Secretary  of  War. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  I  iH;ceived,at  Tullahoma,  the  following  dispatch 
of  the  same  date  from  the  Secretary  of  War  : 

"  Proceed  at  once  to  Mississippi  and  take  chief  command  of  the 
forces  there-— giving  to  those  in  the  field,  as  far  as  practicable,  the 
encouragement  and  benefit  of  your  personal  direction.  " 

It  is  thus  seen  that  neither  my  orders  nor  my  health  permitted  me 
to  visit  Mississippi  af<:er  the  1:2th  of  March,  until  the  time  when  I 
took  direct  charge  of  that  department. 


1  P 0*' ft  7 


From  the  time  of  my  arrival  at  Tullahoma  until  the  14th  of  April, 
General  Pemberton's  reports,  all  by  telegraph,  indicated  that  the 
efforts  of  ijie  enemy  would  be  against  General  Bragg  rath(?r  than 
himself,  and  looked  to  the  abandonment  of  his  attempts  on  Vicks- 
burg.     In  that  of  April  l3th,  he  says: 

"  I  am  satisfied  Rosecranz  will  be  reinforced  from  Grant's  army. 
Shall  I  order  troops  to  Tullahoma  ?  " 

On  the  17th  of  xipril,  General  Pemberton  telegraphed  the  return  of 
Grant  and  the  resumption  of  the  operations  against  Vicksburg. 

On  the  29th  of  April,   he   telegraphed  :     *'  The  enemy  is  at  Hard 
Times,  in  large  force,   with  barges  and  transports,    indicating  a  pur- 
pose to  attack   Grand   Gulf,   wi^h   a  view  to   Vicksburg.     He  also* 
reported  heavy  firing  at   Grand  Gulf.     The  enemy  shelling  our  bat- 
teries both  above  and  below.  " 

On  the  1st  of  May  ho  telegraphed:  "  A  furious  battle  has  been 
going  on  since  day  light  just  below  Port  Gibson.  *  *  *  Enemy 
can  cross  all  his  army  from  Hard  Times  to  Bruinsburg.  I  should 
have  large  reinforcements.  Euemy's  movements  threaten  Jackson, 
and  if  successful,  cut  off  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson.  "  I  at  once 
urged  him  to  concentrate  and  to  attack  Grant  immediately  on  his 
landing  ;  and  on  the  next  day  I  sent  the  following  dispatch  to  him  : 
*'  If  Grant  crosses,  unite  all  your  troops  to  beat  him.  Success  will 
give  back  what  was  abandoned  to  win  it.  " 

I  telegraphed  to  you  on  the  1st :  "  General  Pemberton  calls  for 
large  reinforcements.  They  cannot  be  seiit  from  here  without  giving 
up  Tennessee.     Can  one  or  two  brigades  be  sent  from  the  East  ? " 

On  the  7th,  I  again  asked  for  reinforcements  for  Mississippi. 

I  received  no  further  '^eport  of  the  battle  of  Port  Gibson,  and  on 
5th  asked  General  Pemberton  :  "  What  is  the  result  and  where  is 
Grant's  army  ?  "  I  received  no  answer  and  gained  no  additional 
information  in  relation  to  either  subject,  until  1  reached  the  Depart- 
ment of  Mississippi,  in  obedience  to  my  orders  of  May  9th. 

Then,  on  May  13th,  I  received  a  dispatch  from  General  Pemberton, 
dated  Vicksburg,  May  I  2th,  asking  for  reinforcements,  as  the  enemy 
in  large  force  was  moving  from  the  Mississippi,  south  of  the  Big 
Black, apparently  towards  Edwards'  Depot,  "which  will  be  the  battle- 
field if  I  can  forward  sufficient  force,  leaving  troops  enough  to  secure 
the  safety  of  this  place.  " 

Before  iny  arrival  at  Jackson,  Grant  had  beaten  General  Bovren  at 
Port  Gibson,  made  good  the  landing  of  his  army,  occupied  Grand 
Gulf,  and  was  marching  upon  the  Jackson  and  Vicksburg  railroad. 

On  reaching  Jackson  on  the  night  of  the  13th  of  May,  I  found 
there  the  brigades  of  Gregg  and  Walker,  reported  at  six  thousand  ; 
learned  from  General  Gregg  that  Maxey's  brigade  was  expected  to 
arrive  from  Port  Hudson  the  next  day  ;  that  General  Pemberton's 
forces,  except  the  garrison  of  Port  Hudson  (five  thousand)  and  of 
Vicksburg,  were  at  Edwards'  Depot — the  general's  headquarters  at 
Bovina;  that  four  divisions  of  the  enemy,  under  Sherman,  occupied 
Clinton,  ten  miles  west  of  Jackson,  between  Edwards'  Depot  and 
Gurselves.     I  was  aware  that  reinforcements  were  on  their  way  from 


tbe  east,  and  tliat  the  advance  of  those  under  General  Gist  would 
probably  arrive  the  next  day,  and  with  Maxey's  brigade,  swell  my 
force  to  about  eleven  thousand. 

Upon  this  information,  I  sent  to  General  Pemberton,  on  the  same 
Eiight,  (13th,)  a  dispatch  informing  him  of  my  arrival,  and  o'"  the 
occupation  of  Clinton  by  a  portion  of  Grant's  array,  urging  the 
importance  of  re-establishing  communications,  and  ordering  him  to 
come  up,  if  practicable,  on  Sehrraan's  re:ir  at  once,  and  ailding,  "to 
beat  such  a  detachment  would  be  of  imitK  use  value.  The  troops  here 
could  co-operate.  All  the  strength  you  can  quickly  assemble  should 
be  brought.     Time  is  all  important.  " 

On  Thursday,  May  14th,  the  enemy  advanced  by  the  Raymond  and 
Clinton  roads  upon  Jackson.  The  resistance  made  by  the  brigades 
of  Gregg  and  Walker  gave  sufficient  time  for  the  removal  of  the 
public  stores ;  and  at  two,  P.  M.,  we  retreated  by  the  Canton  road, 
from  which  alone  we  could  form  a  junction  with  General  Pem- 
berton.    After  marching  six  miles  the  troops  encamped. 

From  this  point  I  sent  to  General  Pemberton  the  dispatch  of  May 
I4th,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy: 

"  General  :  The  body  of  troops  m'Mitioned  in  my  note  of  last 
night  compelled  Brigadier  General  Gregg  and  his  command  to 
evacuate  Jackson  about  noon  to-day.  The  necessity  of  taking  the 
Canton  road,  at'  right  angles  to  that  upon  w^hich  the  enemy 
approached,  prevented  an  obstinate  defence.  A  body  of  troops, 
reported  this  morning  to  have  reached  Raymond  last  night,  advanced 
at  the  same  time  from  that  direction.  Prisoners  say  that  it  was 
Mcpherson's  corps,  (four  divisions,)  which  marched  from  Clinton.  I 
have  no  certain  information  of  the  other;  both  skirmished  very  cau- 
tiously. Telegrams  were  dispatched  when  the  enemy  was  near, 
directing  General  Gist  to  assemble  the  appproaching  troops  at  a 
point  forty  or  fifty  miles  from  Jackson,  and  General  Maxey  to 
return  to  his  wagons,  and  provide  for  the  security  of  hisbrigaie — for 
instance,  by  joining  General  Gist.  Tbat  body  of  troops  will  be  able, 
I  hope,  to  prevent  the  enemy  in  Jackson  from  drawing  provisions 
from  the  east ;  and  this  one  may  be  able  to  keep  hira  from  the  coun- 
try towards  Panola.  Can  ho  supply  himself  from  the  Mississippi  ? 
Can  you  not  cut  him  off  from  it?  And  above  all,  should  he  be 
compelled  to  fall  back  for  want  of  supplies,  beat  him  ?  As  soon 
as  the  reinforcements  are  all  up,  they  must  be  united  to  the  rest 
of  the  army.  I  am  anxious  to  see  a  force  assembled  that  may  be 
able  to  inflict  a  heavy  blow  upon  the  enemy. 

"  Would  it  not  be  better  to  place  the  forces  to  support  A^'icksburg  be- 
tween General  Loring  and  that  place,  and  merely  observe  the  ferries, 
so  that  you  might  unite,  if  opportunity  to  fight  presented  itself  ? 

**  General  Gregg  will  move  towards  Canton  to-morrow.  If  pris- 
oners tell  the  truth,  the  forces  at  Jackson  must  be  half  of  Grant's  army. 
It  would  decide  the  campaign  to  beat  it,  which  can  bo  done  only  by 
concentrating,  especially  when  the  remainder  of  the  eastern  troops 
arrive  ;  they  are  to  be  twelve  thousand  or  thirteen  thousand." 

This  dispatch  was  not  answered.     General  Pemberton  stated  in  hia 


8 

official  report,  that  it  vras  received  at  six,  P.  M,,  on  the  16th,  *'  whilst 
on  the  retreat,"  from  the  battle-field  of  Baker's  Creek. 

On  the  next  day,  (May  l£th,  Friday,)  the  troops  under  me  marched 
ten  and-a- half  miles  further,  to  Calhoun  Station.  On  the  morning  of 
that  day,  I  received  a  letter  from  General  Pemberton,  dated  Edwards' 
Depot, 'May  14th,  (Thursday,)  five  forty,  P.  M.: 

**  I  shall  move,  as  early  to-morrow  morning  as  practicable,  a  column 
of  seventeen  thousand  to  Dillons.  The  object  is  to  cut  off  ene- 
my's communications,  and  force  him  to  attack  me,  as  I  do  not  consider 
my  force  sufiicient  to  justify  an  attack  on  the  enemy  in  position,  or  to 
attempt  to  cut  my  way  to  Jackson." 

.This  v.'as  the  first  communication  received  fromGeheral  Pemberton 
after  my  arrival  at  Jackson  ;  and  from  it  I  learned  that  he  had  not 
moved  towards  Clinton,  ten  hours  after  the  receipt  of  my  order  to  do 
80,  and  that  the  junction  of  the  forces,  which  could  have  been  effected 
by  the  loth,  was  deferred,  and  that,  in  disobedience  of  my  orders,  and 
in  opposition  to  the  views  of  a  majority  of  the  council  of  war,  com- 
posed of  all  his  generals  present,  before  whom  he  placed  the  subject, 
he  had  decided  to  make  a  movement  by  which  the  union  would  be  im- 
possible General  Pemberton  was  immediately  instructed  that  there  was 
but  one  mode  by  which  we  could  unite,  viz  :  by  his  moving  directly  to 
Clinton.  The  brigadier  generals  representing  thi^t  their  troops  re- 
quired rest,  after  the  fatigue  they  had  undergone  in  the  skirmishes 
and  marches  preceding  the  retreat  from  Jeckson,  and  having  yet  no 
certain  intelligence  of  General  Pemberton's  route,  or  of  General  Gist's 
position,  I  did  not  move  on  Saturday.  In  the  evening,  I  received  a 
reply  to  my  last  dispatch,  dated  four  miles  south  of  Edwards'  Depot, 
May  IGth,  stating  it  had  reached  him  at  sis  thirty,  that  morning; 
that  "  it  found  the  army  on  the  middle  road  to  Raymond.  The  order 
of  counter-march  has  been  issued.  Owing  to  the  destruction  of  ia 
bridge  on  Baker's  creek,  which  runs,  for  some  distance,  parallel 
with  the  railroad,  and  south  of  it,  our  march  will  be  on  the  road  lead- 
ing from  Edwards'  Depot,  in  the  direction  of  Brownsville.  This  road 
runs  nearly  parallel  with  railroad.  In  going  to  Clinton,  we  shall  leave 
Bolton's  Depot  four  miles  to  the  right.  I  am  thus  particular  so  that 
YOU  may  be  able  to  make  a  junction  with  this  army."  In  a  postscript, 
he  reported  "  heavy  skirmishing  now  going  on  in  my  front." 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  I  received  General  Pemberton's 
first  reply  to  the  order  sent  him  from  Jackson,  to  attack  Sherman, 
dated  Bovina,  May  14th,  nine  o'clock  ten  minutes,  A.  M.,as  follows  : 

**  I  move  at  once,  with  my  whole  available  force,  from  Edwards' 
Depot.  In  directing  this  move,  I  do  not  think  you  fully  comprehend 
the  condition  Vicksburg  will  be  left  in  ;  but  I  comply  at  once  with 
your  order." 

On  May  17th,  (Sunday,)  I  marched  fifteen  miles  in  the  direction  in- 
dicated in  General  Pemberton's  note,  received  the  previous  evening. 
In  the  afternoon,  a  letter  was  brought  from  him,  dated  Bovina,  May 
17th,  a  copy  of  which  has  been  forwarded  to  the  War  Department.. 
In  this,  referring  to  my  dispatch  of  May  13th,  from  Jackson,  General 
Pemberton  wrote :  "  I  notified  you  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  of  the 


receipt  of  your  instructions,  to  move  and  attack  the  enemy  towards 
Clinton.     1  deemed  the  movement  very   hazardous,  preferring  to  re- 
main in  position,  behind  the   Big  Black,  and  near  to  Vioksburg.     I 
called  a  council  of  war,  composed  of  all  the  general  officers.     *     *     * 
A  majority  of  the  officers  expressed  themselves  favorable  to  the  move- 
ment indicated  by  you.     The  others,  including  Major  Generals  Loring 
and  Stevenson,  preferred  a  movement  hy  which  this  army  might  en- 
deavor to  cut  off  the  en-.imy's  supplies  from  the  Mississippi.     >.'y  own 
views  were  expressed  as   unfavorable   to  any  movement  which   would 
remove   me  from  my  base,  which  was,  and  is,  Vicksburg.     I  did  not, 
however,  see  fit  to  place  my  own  judgmeiit  and  opinions  so  far  in  op- 
position as  to  prevent    the  movement    altogether;   but   believing  the 
only  possibility  of  success   to  be  in  the  phin  proposed,  of  cutting  off 
the  enemy's  supplies,  I  directed  all  my  disposable  force,   say  seven- 
teen thousand  five  hundred,  towards  Raymond  or  Dillon's."     It  also 
contained  intelligence  of  his  engagement  with  the  enemy  on  the  IGth, 
near  Baker's  creek,  three  or  four  miles  from  Ed^ffirda'  Depot,  and  of 
his  having  been  compelled  to  withdraw,  with  heavy  loss,  to  Big  Black 
Bridge,      lie  further  expressed  the  apprehension  that  he  would  be  com- 
pelled to  fall  back  from  this  point,  and  represented  that  if  so,  his  j)0- 
eition  at  Snyder's  Mills,  would  be  untenable,  and  said  :   "  I  have  about 
eixty   days'   provisions    at  Vicksburg    and    Snyder's.     I  respectfully 
await    your  instructions."     I  immediately    replied,    May    17th:   ''If 
Ilaynes'  Bluff  be  untenable,  Vicksburg  is  of  no  value,  a.nd  cannot  be 
held.      If,  therefore,  you  are  invested   in  Vicksburg,  you  must    ulti- 
mately surrender.      Under  such  circumstances,  instead  of  losing  both 
troops  ai.d  place,  you  must,  if  possible,  save  the  troops.     If  it  is  not 
too  late,  evacuate  Vicksburg  and  its   dependencies,  and  march  to  the 
northeast."     Tl'hat  night  I  was  informed  that  General  Pemberton  had 
fallen  back  to  Vicksburg 

On  Monday,  May  the  18th,  General  Pemberton  informed  me,  by  let- 
ter, dated  Vicksburg,  May  17th.  that  he  had  retired  within  the  lino 
of  entrenchments  around  Vicksburg,  havjng  been  attacked  and  forced 
back  from  Big  Black  Bridge,  and  that  h«  had  ordered  Hayncs'  BliJiff 
to  be  abandoned.  His  letter  conclmled  with  the  following  remark : 
"I  greatly  regret  that  I  felt  compelled  to  make  the  advance  beyond 
Big  Black,  which  has  proved  so  disastrous  in  its  results."  It  will  be 
remembered  that  General  Pemberton  expected  that  Edwards'  Depot 
would  be  the  battle-field  before  I  reached  Jackson,  (see  his  dispatch 
of  the  12th,  already  quoted,)  and  that  his  army,  before  he  received 
any  orders  from  me,  was  seven  or  eight  miles  east  of  the  Big  Black, 
near  Edwards'  Depot. 

On  May  1 9th,  General  Pembcrton's  reply,  dated  Vicksburg,  May 
18th,  to  my  communication  of  the  1 7th,  was  brought  me,  near  Vernon, 
where  I  had  gone  with  the  troops  under  my  coinnand,  for  the  purpose 
of  effecting  a  junction  with  him,  in  the  event  of  hi.=»  evacuating  Vicks- 
burg, as  I  harl  ordered,  in  which  he  advised  mc  that  he  had  '•assem- 
bled a  council  of  war  of  the  general  ofSccrs  of  this  command,  and 
having  laid  your  instructions  before  them,  asked  the  free  expression 
of  their  opinion  as  to  the  practicability  of  carrjiDg  them  out.     The 


10 

opinion  was  unaniraouBly  expressed  that  it  was  impossible  to  with- 
draw the  army  from  this  position  with  such  morale  and  material,  as  to 
be  of  further  sevice  to  the  Confederacy."  On  receiving  this  informa- 
tion, I  replied:  "  I  am  trying  to  gather  a  force  which  may  attempt  to 
relieve  you.  Hold  out."  The  same  day  I  sent  orders  to  Major  Gen- 
eral Gardner  to  evacuate  Port  Hudson. 

I  then  determined,  by  easy  marches,  to  re-establish  my  line  between 
Jackson  and  Canton,  as.  the'junction  of  the  two  commands  had  be- 
come impossible. 

*  On  the  2()th  and  2l8t  of  May,  I  was  joined  by  the  brigades  of  Gen- 
erals Gist.  Ector  and  McNair.  The  division  of  General  Loring,  cut 
off  from  General  Pemberton  in  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  reached 
Jackson  on  the  20th,  and  General  Maxey,  with  his  brigade,  on  the 
23d.  By  the  4th  of  June,  the  array  had,  in  addition  to  these,  been 
reinforced  by  the  brigade  of  General  Evans,  the  division  of  General 
Breckinridge,  and  the  division  of  cavalry,  numbering  two  thousand 
eight  hundred,  commanded  by  Brigadier  General  W.  H.  Jackson. 
Small  as  was  this  force,  about  twenty-four  thousand,  infantry  and  ar- 
tillery, notone-thirdof  that  of  the  enemy,  it  was  deficient  in  artillery,  in 
ammunition  for  all  arms,  and  field  transportation,  and  could  not  be 
moved  upon  that  enemy,  already  entrenching  his  large  force,  with  any 
hope  of  success. 

The  draft  upon  the  country  had  so  far  reduced  the  number  of  horses 
and  mules  that  it  was  not  until  late  in  June  that  draught  animals 
could  be  procured,  from  distant  points,  for  the  artillery  and  trains. 

There  was  no  want  of  commissary  supplies  in  the  department ;  but 
the  limited  transportation  caused  a  deficiency  for  a  moving  army. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  I  received  a  dispatch  from  Major  General  Gard- 
ner, dated  I'ort  Hudson,  May  21st,  informing  me  that  the  enemy  was 
about  to  cross  at  Bayou  Sara;  that  the  whole  force  from  Baton  Rouge 
was  in  his  front,  ar;d  asking  to  be  reinforced.  On  this,  my  orders  for 
the  evacuation  of  Port  Hudson  were  repeated,  and  he  was  informed : 
'•'■  You  cannot  be  reinforced.  Do  not  allow  yourself  to  be  invested. 
At  every  risk,  save  the  troops,  and,  if  practicable,  move  in  this  direc- 
tj^on."  This  dispatch  did  not  reach  General  Gardner — Port  Hudson 
being  then  invested. 

About  the  24th  of  May,  the  enemy  made  such  demonstrations  above 
the  Big  Black  and  towards  Yazoo  City,  that  I  sent  Walker's  division 
to  YaKoo  City,  with  orders  to  fortify  it ;  and  the  demonstrations  being 
renewed,  placed  Boring's  division  within  supporting  distance  of  Walk- 
er's, and,  in  person,  took  post  at  Canton. 

Dispatches  arrived  from  General  Pemberton,  dated  Vicksburg,  May 
20th  and  21st.  In  that  of  the  20th,  he  stated  that  the  enemy  had  as- 
saulted his  entrenched  lines  the  day  before,  and  were  repulsed,  with 
heavy  loss.  He  estimated  their  force  at  not  less  than  sixty  thousand; 
.ind  asked  that  musket  caps  be  sent,  they  being  his  main  necessity, 
he  concluded  :  "An  army  will  be  necessary  to  save  Vicksburg,  and  that 
quickly.  Will  it  be  sent  ?"  On  the  2 1st,  he  wrote  :  "The  men  credit, 
and  are  encouraged  by  a  report,  that  you  are  near,  with  a  large  force. 
They  are  fighting  in  gocd  spirits ;  and  their  organization  is  complete." 


11 

'Caps  '«\'ere  sent  as  fast  as  tlioy  ariived.  On  May  29th  I  sent  a 
>lispatch  to  General  Pemberton  to  the  following  effect  : 

*'  I  am  too  weak  to  save  Vicksburg.  Can  do  no  more  than  attempt 
to  save  jou  and  your  garrison.  It  will  be  impossible  to  extricate 
you,  unless  you  co-operate,  and  we  make  mutually  supporting  move- 
ments     Communicate  your  plans  and  suggestions,  if  possible."' 

The  receipt  of  this  was  a-cknowleilged  in  a  communication,  dated 
Vicksburg,  June  3d,  in  which  Gen.  Pemberton  says  :  "  We  can  get 
no  information  from  cutsiic  as  to  your  petition  or  strength,  and  very 
little  in  regard  to  the  enemy." 

In  a  dispatch,  dated  June  inth.  from  General  Gardner,  the  first  re- 
ceived since  his  investment,  he  reported  having  repulsed  the  enemy 
in  several  severe  attacks,  but  that  ho  was  getting  short  of  provisions,, 
and  ammunition.  To  which  I  replied  June  15th,  informing  him  that 
I  had  not  means  of  relieving  him,adiling  :  "  General  Taylor  will  do 
what  he  can  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  Hold  the  place  as  long  as 
you  can,  and,  if  possible,  withdraw  in  any  direction,  or  cut  your  way 
out.  It  is  very  important  to  keep  Ijanks  and  his  forces  occupied." 
In  a  despatch,  dated  June  20th,  I  sent  him  word  that  General  Taylor 
had  intended  to  attack  the  enemy  opposite  Port  Hudson  on  the  night 
of  the  loth,  ami  attempt  to  send  cattle  across  the  river. 

The  want  of  field  transportation  rendered  any  movement  for  the  re- 
lief of  Port  Hudson  impossible,  h  id  a  march  in  that  direction  been, 
advisable;  but  such  a  march  would  have  enabled  Grant,  (whc 
had  now  completed  his  strong  linos  around  Vicksburg,)  to  have 
cut  my  line  of  communication,  and  destroyed  my  army  ;  and  from  the 
momeiit  thati  I  put  my  troops  in  march  in  that  direction,  liie 
whole  of  middle  and  north  Mississippi  would  have  been  open  to  the, 
enemy. 

On  June  7th  I  repeated  the  substance  of  nn^  dispatch  of  May  39th 
to  Gen.  Pemberton, 

On  the  4th  of  June,  I  told  the  Secretary  of  War.  in  answer  t()  his 
call  for  my  plans,  that  my  only  plan  was  to  relieve  Vicksburg,  an  1  my 
force  was  far  too  small  for  the  purpose. 

On  June  10th  I  told  him  I  had  not  at  my  disposal  half  the  troop  -,  ne 
necessar.y. 

On  the  l?t;i  I  said  to  him  "  to  take  from  Bragg  a  force  which  would 
make  this  army  fit  to  oppose  Grant,  would  involve  yielding  Tennessee. 
It  is  for  the  Government  to  decide  between  this  State  and  Toniies- 
«ee. 

On  the  14th,  I  sent  Gen.  Pemberton  the  following  :  "  All  that  we  can 
attempt  to  do  is  to  save  you  and  your  girrison.  'i'o  <lo  this,  exact  co- 
operation is  indispensable  ;  by  fighting  the  enemy  simultaneously  at  the 
eame  points  of  his  line  you  may  be  extricated.  Our  joint  forces  can- 
not raise  the  seige  of  Vicksburg.  My  communication  with  the  rear 
can  best  be  preserved  by  operating  north  of  railroad.  Inform  mc,  as 
soon  as  possible,  what  points  will  suit  you  best.  Your  tleepatcbes  of 
the  12th  received.  General  Taylor  with  eight  thousand  men  will  ca 
deavor  to  open  communications  with  you  from  Richmond,"  To  this 
fommunication  General  I'craberton  replied,  June  2l.st,  recommending 


12 

me  to  move  north  of  the  railroad  towards  Vicksburg,  to  keep  the 
enemy  attracted  to  that  side,  and  stating  that  he  would  himself  move 
at  the  proper  time  by  the  Warrenton  road,  crossing  the  Big  Black  at 
Hankiason's  Ferry ;  that  *'  the  other-  roads  are  too  strongly  en- 
trenched, and  the  enemy  in  too  heavy  force,  for  a  reasonable  pros- 
pect of  success,"  unless  I  could  compel  him  to  abandon  his  commu- 
nications by  Snyder's. 

On  the  1 5th,  I  expressed  to  the  Department  the  opinion  that,  with- 
out some  great  blun  !er  of  the  enemy,  we  could  not  hold  both,  (Mis- 
sissippi and  Tennnesse,)  and  that  I  considered  saving  Vicksburg 
hopeless. 

On  the  ISth,  I  said,  Grant's  position,  naturally  very  strong,  is  en- 
trenched and  protected  by  powerful  artillery,  and  the  roads  bstructed. 
His  reinforcements  have  been  at  least  equal  to  my  whole  force.  The 
Big  Black  covers  him  from  attack,  and  would  cut  off  our  retreat,  if 
defeated. 

On  June  22d,  in  reply  to  a  despacth  from  (jeneral  Pemberton  of 
th-e  15th,  in  which  he  said  that,  though  living  ou  a  greatly  reduced 
rations,  he  had  sufficient  for  twenty  days.  I  informed  him  that  Gen. 
Taylor  had  been  sent  by  General  E.'  K.  Smith  to  co-operate  with  him 
from  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi,  and  that,  in  a  day  or  two,  I 
would  try  to  make  a  diversion  in  his  favor,  and,  if  possible,  open 
communications;  adding,  "though  I  fear  my  force  is  too  small  to 
€ffect  the  latter.  I  have  only  two-thirds  of  the  force  you.  told  mes- 
senger Saunders  to  state  to  me  as  the  least  with  which  I  ougtit  to 
make  an  attempt.  Scouts  report  the  enemy  fortyfying  towards  us, 
and  the  roads  blocked, " 

A  day  or  two  after  this,  a  dispatch  was  brought  me  Irom  General 
Pemberton,  dated  June  22d,  suggesting  that  I  should  make  to  Grant 
**  propositions  to  pass  this  army  out  with  all  its  arms  and  equipages  ;" 
renewing  his  hope  of  my  being  able,  by  force  of  arms,  to  act  with 
him,  and  expressing  the  opinion  that  he  could  hold  for  fifteen  days 
longer.  To  this  despatch  I  replied,  June  27th,  informing  him  that 
General  E.  K.  Smith's  troops  had  fallen  back  to  Delhi,  and  that  1  had 
urged  him  to  assume  the  direct  command;  and  continued,  "  the  de- 
termined spirit  you  manifest,  and  his  expected  co-operation,  encour- 
age me  to  hope  that  something  may  yet  be  done  to  save  Vicksburg, 
and  to  postpone  both  of  the  modes  suggested  of  merely  extricating 
the  garrison.  Negotiations  with  Grant,  for  the  relief  of  the  garrison, 
should  they  become  necessary,  must  be  made  by  you.  It  would  be  a 
confession  of  weakness  on  my  part,  which  I  ought  not  to  make,  to 
propose  them.  When  it  becomes  necessary  to  make  terms,  they  may 
be  considered  as  made  under  my  authority.'' 

On  the  29th  June,  field  transportation  and  other  supplies  having 
been  obtained,  the  army  marched  towards  the  Big  Black,  and,  on  the 
the  evening  of  July  1st,  encamped  between  Brownsville  and  the 
river, 

Ileconnoisances,  which  occupied  the  second  and  third,  convinced 
tne  that  the  attack  north  of  the  railroad  was  impracticable.  - 1  deter- 
mined, therefore,  to  make  the  examinations  necessary  for  the  attempt 


13 

gouth  of  the  railroad.  Thinking,  from  what  was  already  known,  that 
the  chance  for  success  was  much  better  there,  although  the  conse- 
quences of  defeat  might  be  more  disastrous. 

On  the  night  of  the  3d,  a  messenger  was  sent  to  General  Pember- 
ton  with  information  that  an  attempt  to  create  a  diverson  would  be 
made,  to  enable  him  to  cut  his  way  out,  and  that  I  bope  1  to  attack  the 
enemy  about  the  7th. 

On  the  5th,  however,  we  learned  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  and,  there- 
fore, fell  back  to  Jackson. 

The  army  reached  Jackson  the  evening  of  the  7th,  and  on  the 
morning  of  the  9th,  the  enemy  appeared  in  heavy  force  in  front  of 
the  works  thrown  up  for  the  defence  of  the  place*  These,  consisting 
of  a  line  of  rifle  pits,  prepared  at  intervals  for  artillery,  extended  from 
a  point  north  of  the  town,  a  little  east  of  the  Canton  road,  to  a  point 
south  of  the  town,  within  a  short  distance  of  Pearl  rivc",  and  coverf^d 
most  of  the  approaches  west  of  the  river  ;  but  were  b  idly  located  and 
constructed,  presenting  but  a  slight  obstacle  to  a  vigorous  assault. 

The  troops  promptly  took  their  assigned  positions  in  the  entrench- 
ments on  the  appearance  of  the  enemy,  in  expectation  of  an  immediate 
assault.  Major  General  Loring occupying  the  right;  Major  General 
Walker  the  right  of  the  centre  ;  Major  General  French  the  left  of 
the  centre,  and  Major  General  Breckinridge  the  left.  The  cavalry, 
under  Brigadier  General  Jackson,  was  ordered  to  observe  and  guard 
the  fords  of  Pearl  river  above  and  below  the  town. 

The. reports  that  had,  at  various  times,  been  made  to  me  by  the 
commanding  officers  of  the  troops  encamped  near  Jackson,  of  the 
scarcity  of  water,  led  me  to  believe  that  Sherman,  who  advanced  in 
heavy  order  of  battle  from  Clinton,  could  not  beseige,  but  would  be 
compelled  to  make  an  immediate  assault.  His  force  was  represented 
to  consist  of  his  own  and  Ord's  army  corps,  and  thr;c  divisions  in 
addition.  The  spirit  and  confi(ience  manifested  by  the  whole  army 
under  my  command,  were  such  that,  notwithstanding  this  vast  supe- 
riority of  numbers,  I  felt  assured,  with  the  advantage  given  by  the 
entrenchments,  weak  as  they  were,  an  assault  by  him  would  result  in 
his  discomfiture. 

Instead  of  attacking,  the  enemy,  as  soon  as  they  arrived,  com- 
menced entrenching  and  constructing  batteries.  On  the  lOth,  there 
was  Fpirited  skirmishing  with  slight  cannonading,  continuing  through- 
out the  day.  This  was  kept  up  with  varying  intensity  ;.nd  but  little 
interruption  until  the  period  of  our  evacuation.  Hills,  commanding 
and  encircling  the  town,  within  easy  cannon  range,  oGfered  favorable 
sites  for  batteries.  A  cross  fire  of  shot  and  shell  reached  all  parts  of 
the  town,  showing  the  position  to  be  entirely  untenable  against  a 
powerful  artillery. 

On  the  11th,  I  telegraphed  the  President,  "  if  the  position  and 
works  were  not  bad,  want  of  stores,  which  could  not  be  collcc'cd^ 
would  make  it  impossible  to  stand  a  seige.  If  the  enemy  will  not 
attack,  we  must,  or  at  the  last  moment  withdraw.  Wo  cannot  attack 
8f;riou.sly  without  risking  the  army. 

On  the  12th,  besides  the  usual  skirmishiog,  there  was  a  heavy  can- 


14 

nonailc  from  the  batteries  near  the  Canton  and  south  of  the  Clinton 
roafJs.  The  missies  reached  all  parts  of  the  town.  An  assault  though 
not  a  vi-^orous  one,  .was  also  made  on  Major  General  Breckinridge'* 
line  It  was  quickly  repelled,  however,  principally  by  the  direct  fire 
of  Cobb's  and  Slocumb's  batteries,  and  flank  attack  of  the  skirnaisliers 
of  the  first,  third  and  fourth  Floridaand  forty-seventh  Georeia  rpgi- 
ments.  The  enemy's  loss  was  two  hundred  prisons  rs,  nearly  the  same 
number  killed,  many  wounded,  and  the  colors  of  the  twenty-eighth, 
forty-first  and  fifty-third  Illinois  regiments. 

By  the  1 3th,  the  enemy  had  extended  his  lines,  until  both  his  flanks 
rested  on  Pearl  river. 

I  t'degi  aphed  the  President  on  the  14th,  that  a  largo  force  lately  left 
Vickslurg  "  to  turn  us  on  the  north.  This  will  compel  us  abandon 
Jackecn.  The  troops  before  us  have  been  entrenching  and  construct- 
ing birreries  since  their  arrival." 

On  the  Ifjth,  I  telegraphed  the  President,  "The  enemy  is  evidr-utly 
making  a  seige  which  we  cannot  resist.  It  would  be  madness  to 
attack  dim.  The  remainder  of  the  army  under  Grant,  at  Vicksburg, 
is,  beyond  doubt,  on  its  way  to  this  place." 

On  the.  1 6th  of  July,  information  was  received  that  a  large  train 
from  Vicksburg,  loadcil  with  ammunition,  was  near  the  enemy's  camp. 
This,  anil  the  condition  of  their  batteries,  made  it  probable  that  Sher- 
man would,  on  the  next  day,  concentrate  upon  us  the  fire  of  near  two 
hundred  guns.  It  was  also  reported  that  the  enemy  had  crossed  Pearl 
river  in  rear  of  their  left  flank.  The  evacuation  of  Jackson  that 
night  was.  therefore,  determined  on. 

Our  withdrawal  was  aifected  on  the  night  of  the  1 6th,  All  public 
property  and  the  sick  ond  wounded,  except  a  few  not  in  a  condition 
be  moved,  had  been  previously  carried  to  the  rear.  The  right  wing 
retired  towards  Brandon  by  thn  new  Brandon  road,  and  the  left  wing 
by  the  old  Brandon  road.  The  cavalry  remained  to  destroy  the 
bridges  over  Pearl  river  and  observe  theenemy.  The  evacuation 
was  not  discovered  by  the  enemy  until  th'C  next  day. 

Our  loss,  during  the  seige,  was  estimated  at  seventy- one  killed,  five 
hundred  and  four  v.  ounded,  and  about  twenty-five  missing.  The  army 
retired  by  easy  marches  to  Morton,  distant  about  thirty-five  miles 
from  Ja-kson.  Desertions  during  the  seige  and  on  the  march,  were, 
I  regret  to  say,  frequent.  Two  division  of  the  enemy,  with  cavalry, 
drove  our  cavalry  through  Brandon  on  the  19th,  returning  to  Jack- 
son the  next  day.  Their  object  seemed  to  be  to  destroy  the  railroad 
bridges  and  depots. 

Col.  J.  L.  Logan,  commanding  a  mounted  force  around  Port  Hudson, 
reported  three  successful  engagements  withdetachnu-nts  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  i2th  of  July,  I  received  information  from  Colonel  Logan  of 
the  surrender  of  Port  Hudson  on  the  9th,  Subsequently  the  report 
of  Mijor  Jackson,  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  was  received,  inft-im- 
ing  uio  of  the  surrender.  That  ofii'eer  stated  that  provision  was 
exha lifted  and  that  the  position  of  the  enemy  rendered  it  impossible 
for  he  li  irrison  to  cut  its  way  out,  but  two  thousand  five  hundred  of 
the  iiairjson  were  fit  for  duty  at  the  time  of  surrender. 


15 

The  enemy  advanced  against  Yazoo  city,  both  by  land  and  water, 
on  the  13th.  The  attack  by  the  gun-boats  was  han-lsomely  repulsed 
by  our  heavy  battery,  under  the  command  of  Commander  Isaac  N. 
Brown  of  the  Navy.  The  DeKalb,  the  flag  ship  of  the  liosule 
squadron,  an  iron-clad,  mounting  thirteen  guns,  was  sunk  by  a  torpedo. 
To  the  force  advancing  by  land  no  resistance  was  made  by  the  garri- 
rison,  commanded  by  Colonel  Creasman,  of  the  twenty-ninth  Noith 
Carolina  regiment. 

I  have  introduced  my  dispatch,  of  May  14th,  into  this  report 
because  General  Peraberton,  after  stating  that  it  was  not  received 
until  after  the  "battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  claims,  that  although  he  had 
not  acted  on  those  instructions,  the  letter  suggested  the  very  move- 
ment he  had  maie,  and  for  the  same  purpose  When  the  enemy  wag 
at  Jackson,  the  letter  suggested  a  movement  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
dislodging  him,  and  so  stated.  General  Pemberton's  march,  with 
whatever  purpose  made,  was  begun  after  the  enemy  had  abandoned 
Jackson,  and  was  almost  in  his  proscnrc.  My  order  of  the  loth,  at 
which  time  I  should  have  joined  General  Pemberton,  to  take  imme- 
diate command  of  the  main  army,  but  that  1  was  still  tco  weak  to 
attempt  such  a  ride — which  was  received  by  him  early  on  the  morning 
of  the  16th,  required  him  to  abamlon  that  movement — had  he  obe^'ed 
it,  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek  would  have  been  escaped. 

About  the  middle  of  January,  finding  the  cavalry  in  IMississippi 
nactive,  and  being  satisfied,  by  the  representations  of  well  informed 
persons,  acquainted  with  the  country,  that  it  could  not  be  usefully 
employed  in  Mii^sissippi  until  late  in  the  spring,  and  persuaded  that  a 
larger  cavalry  force  was  needed  to  cover  that  portion  of  Tennessee  from 
which  General  Bragg  7."as  drawing  his  supplies,  I  transferred  about 
two-thirds  of  the  cavalry  of  Mississippi  to  Tennessee. 

By  this  transfer  from  ^Ussissippi,  at  a  time  when  Genei;^l  Gr;int. 
had  fallen  back  on  Memphis,  and  Sherman  and  McClernan<l  had  been 
repulsed  at  Vicksburg,  I  gave  strength  to  the  army  of  Tennessee, 
which  had  been  greatly  reduced  by  the  engagements  ne.ir  Murfresb.-ro', 
and  enabled  General  Bragg  to  cover  the  country  and  secure  supplies 
for  his  army. 

About  March  2l)th,  General  Pemberton  applied  for  cavalry  for  the 
protection  of  the  northern  part  of  the  State  during  the  planting  sea- 
son ;  but  his  reports,  heretofore  referred  to,  indicated  that  the  enemy's 
forces  were  to  be  employed  in  Tennessee  rather  than  in  Mississippi, 
an<l  "\  an  Dnrn's  cavalry  being  then  absolutely  necessary  to  hold  the 
country  from  which  General  Bragg  was  drawing  his  supplies,  I  would 
not  send  it,  and  so  informe^l  General  Pemberton.  When  he  reported 
that  Grant's  array  was  returning  to  Mississippi,  a  strong  brigade  of 
cavalry  was  ordered  from  Tennessee  into  that  State. 

The  time  to  strike  the  enemy,  with  the  best  hope  of  saving  Vicks 
burg,  wa3  when  he  was  landing  near  Bruinsburg.  To  do  this  with 
any  prospect  of  success,  a  rapid  concentration  of  all  the  forces  shouM 
have  been  made,  and  an  attack.  Under  this  conviction  I  telegraphe  i 
to  Gencial  Pembertf)n,  on  May  1st,  from  Tullahoma:  "  If  Grant's 
arn.y  lands  ou  this  side  of  the  rivor,  the  safety  of  Mi8ai8sii>pi  depends 


16 

on  beating  it.  For  that  object  you  should  unite  your  vrhole  force." 
And  again  on  May  2d :  '-If  Grant  crosses,  unite  your  whole  force  to 
beat  him  ;  success  will  give  back  what  was  abandoned  to  win  it." 

These  instructions  were  neglected,  and  time  was  given  to  Grant  to 
gain  a  foothold  in  the  State.  At  Port  Gibson  and  Raymond  detach- 
ments of  our  troops  were  defeated  and  driven  back  by  overwhelming 
numbers  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  13th,  when  I  learned  that  there  were  four  divisions  of  the 
enemy  at  Clinton,  distant  twenty  miles  from  the  main  body  of  General 
Pemberton's  forces,  I  gave  him  orders  to  attack  them,  and  notified  him 
that  we  could  co-operate.  This  order  General  Pemberten  disobeyed, 
and  so  reported  to  me  in  bis  letter  of  the  17th.  It  directed  him  to 
move  twenty  miles  to  the  east,  to  co-operate  with  me  in  attacking 
Sherman.  He  moved  to  -the  south,  and  made  our  co-operation  and 
junction  impossible  lie  claims  that  this  order  compelled  him  to  make 
the  advance  beyond  the  Big  Bhvck,  which  proved  so  "  disastrous." 
Before  I  had  reached  Jackson,  and  before  the  order  was  given,  Gen. 
Pe-mberton  made  his  first  advance  beyond  (east  of)  the  Big  Black,  to 
Edward's  Depot ;  after  the  receipt  of  the  order,  in  violation  of  it,  he 
made  his  second  end  last  advance  from  that  point  to  the  field  of  Ba- 
ker's Creek.  He  further  claims  that  this  order  caused  the  subversion 
of  his  "  matured  plans."  I  do  not  know  what  those  plans  were,  but 
am  startle  1  to  find  matured  plans  given  up  for  a  movement  in  violation 
of  my  orders,  rejected  by  the  majority  of  his  council  of  war,  and  dis- 
approved (as  he  states)  by  himself  On  the  12th,  he  wrote  me  that  if 
he  could  collect  force  enough,  Edward's  Depot  would  be  the  battle- 
field. The  battle  of  Baker's  Creek  was  fought  three  or  four  miles 
from  Edward's  Depot.  'J'he  presence  of  the  enemy  was  reported  to 
him  the  night  before.  There  was  no  appa'rent  obstacle  to  prevent 
his  resuming  his  original  position,  and  carrying  out  his  ".matured 
plans." 

It  is  a  new  military  principle  that  when  an  officer  disobeys  a  posi- 
tive order  of  his  superior,  that  superior  becomes  responsible  for  any 
measure  his  subordinate  may  choose  to  substitute  for  that  ordered. 

But  had  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek  not  been  fought,  General  Pem- 
berton's belief  that  Vicksburg  was  his  base  rendered  his  ruin  inevita- 
ble. 'He  would  still  have  been  besieged,  and  therefore  captured.  The 
larger  force  he  would  have  carried  into  the  lines  would  iiave  added  to 
and  hastened  the  catastrophe.  His  disasters  were  due  not  merel\  to 
his  entangling  himself  with  the  advancing  columns  of  a  superior  and 
unobserved  enemy,  but  to  his  evident  determination  to  be  besieged  in 
Vicksburg,  instead  of  manoeuvering  to  prevent  a  siege. 

Convinced  of  the  impossibility  of  collecting  a  sufficient  force  to 
break  the  investment  of  Vicksburg,  should  it  be  completed — appreci- 
ating the  difficulty  of  extricating  the  garrison,  and  convinced  that 
Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson  had  lost  most  of  their  value  by  the  re- 
peated passage  of  armed  vessels  and  transports,  I  ordered  the  evactt- 
ation  of  both  places.  General  Gordon  did  not  receive  this  order  be- 
fore the  investment  of  Port  Hudson,  if  at  all.  General  I  emberton 
set  aside  this  order,  under  the  advice  of  a  council  of  war  ;  and  though 
he  had  in  Vicksburg  eight  thousand  fresh  troops^  not  demoralized  by 


17 

'i^ofeat,  decided  tbat  it  "  was  impossible  to  withdraw  the  army  from 
this  position,  with  such  morale  and  raateVial  as  to  be  of  further  ser- 
vice to  the  Confe^?eracy ;"  but  "  to  hold  Vicksburg  as  long  as  possi- 
t)le,  with  the  Hrm  hope  that  the  Government  m•^\  yet  be  able  to  assist 
me  in  keepiag  this  ob>;iruction  to  the  enemy's  free  naviganon  of  the 
Mississippi  river."  Yick.burg  was  greatly  imperilled  when  my  in- 
«'ru(U.ior)S  from  Tiilhihoma,  to  concentrate,  were  neglected.  It  wan 
5ost  whep  my  orders  of  the  13th  and  loih  cf  May  were  disobeyed. 
To  this  loss  were  adtied  the  labor,  privations,  and  certain  capture  of  a 
gallant  army,  when  my  orders  f  tr  its  evacuation  l^p  set  aside. 

In  this  report  I  hive  been  compelled  to  enter  inw^any  details,  an  1 
to  make  some  animadversions  upon  the  conduct  of  General  Pembor- 
ton.  The  one  was  no  pleasant  task — the  o^hor  :i  most  painful  duty  : 
both  have  been  f  reed  upon  me  by  the  official  report  of  General  Pern- 
berton,  made  to  tlie  War  Department  instead  of  to  mo,  to  whom  it 
was  due. 

General  Pemberton,  by  direct  assertion  and  by  implication,  putn 
i:pon  me  the  responsibility  of  the  movement  wdiich  led  his  army  to 
defoMt  at  Biker's  Creek  and  Big  Black  bridge— ^defata  which  produced 
the  loss  of  Vicksburg  and  its  army. 

This  statement  has  been  circulated  bj'  the  press,  in  more  or  les.n 
detail,  and  with  more  or  less  marks  of  an  official  character,  until  my 
Biience  would  be  almost  an  acknowledgment  of  the  justice  of  the 
char;^e. 

A  prop'.T  regard  for  the  good  opinion  of  my  Government  has  com- 
pelled uic,  therefore,  to  throw  aside  that  delicacy  which  I  would  gladly 
have  observed  towards  a  brother  officer,  suffering  much  undeserved 
obloquy,  and  to  show  that  in  1  is  short  campaign  General  Pemberton 
made  not  a  sin<;le  movement  in  obedience  to  inv  orders,  and  regarded 
none  of  my  instructions;  and,  finally,  did  not  embrace  the  only  <.p 
portunity  to  save  his  army,  that  given  by  my  order  to  abandon  Vick-i- 
^«rg.  ^ 

Mogt  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  E.   JOHNSTON,   GcmraL 


-RBIT"  GTirP 


OF 


.lEUT.  GENERAL  PEMBERTON. 


Headquarters  Gainesville,  Alabama. 
August  25,  1863. 

General  S.  Cooper, 

Adft  and  Insp^r  General,  Richmond,  Va  : 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  forward,  by  the  hands  of  my  aid- 
de-camp,  Lieutenant  J.  H,  Morrison,  my  report  of  the  operations  pre- 
vious to,  and  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  together  with  the  reports 
of    subordinate  commanders  and  appendixes   A,  B  and  C. 

The  report  is  necessarily  very  voluminous,  but  as  brief  as  I  could 
asake  it. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servanfr, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General. 

P.  S. — I  leave  to-morrow  morning  for  Demopolis,  thence  to  At- 
lanta. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 

Lieutenant  General. 


20 


IlKAD(iUAarF.RS,   G.VJNKSVdJLF,   AlaBAMA, 

August  26,   lc63. 
General  S.  Coopin, 

Adft  and  Inssp'r  Gmeral,  Richmond : 

111  my  report  uf  the  operations  in  Vicksburg,  I  omitted  to  mention 
Major  II.  M  INIatthewB,  cliief  of  ordnance  for  Stevenson's  division, 
and  jicting  chief  for  the  entire  command,  as  entitled  to  commendation 
for  the  active  and  zealous  performance  of  all  his  duties.  Please  make 
the  inseriion  in  my  report. 

I  am,  General, 

Very  respectfully,  etc., 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 

Liivtcnant  GeneraL 


DlJMOI'OHS,  >U.AKAMA,  StplcmhcT  1,   1863. 

General  S.  Cooptr?, 

Adj't  and  Insp'r  Gr:;iral^  C.  S.  A  : 

GeM'.ral:  I  have  the  honor,  heicwith,  to  enclose  the  following 
papers,  received  too  late  for  transmission  with  others,  relating  to  the 
*iame  sMbject,  viz  : 

I.   Brigadier  General  Barton's  report  of  actioD  at  Baker's  Creek. 

2  and  3.  Brigadier  General  S.  D.  Lee's  report  of  action  at  Baker's 
'Creek  and  siege  of  A'ioksbuig. 

4.  Brigadier  General  Oumming's  repoit  of  battle  of  Baker's  Creek 
and  siege  of  Vicksburg. 

5  and  6.  Colonel  \V.  A.  Reynolds'  reports  of  battle  of  Baker's 
•Greek  and  siege  of  Viektiburg. 

These  are  the  reports  of  all  the  brig  de  commanders  of  Stevenson'* 
division,  and  are  respectfully  f^•rwarded  in  the  absence  and  by  the 
order   of  Lieutenant  General  J.   C.  Pemberton. 

Very  respectfully,  v-our  obedient  servant. 

R.  R.  HUTCHINSON,    . 
Assistant  Adjutant   General, 


REPORT  OF  (IE, YE  HAL  PRIBERTON. 


Ukaoquartkrs,  Gainksvii.i.r,  At.abama.  ) 
August  2,  1863.  S 

(ieneral  S.  Cooper. 

Adft  and  Insp'r  (General,  Richmond,-  Va.  : 

Gkneral:  At  the  carliost  moment,  compatible  with  the  performance* 
of  other  and  veiT  pressing  duties,  I  have  the  honor  to  prosent  tl^o 
followin;^  report  of  the  operations  of  the  tipops  in  the  department  (.f 
Mis-sissippi  and  East  Louisima,  precoiliag  and  during  the  seige  re- 
sulting in  the  capitulation  of  Vickshurg.  The  enemy,  after  long- 
continue  I  and  strenuous  efforts  to  reach  the  right  Hank  of  Vicksburg 
by  forcing  a  passage  through  the  upper  Yazoo  river,  finally  rtdin- 
(juished  his  design,  and  on  the  nights  of  the  Jth  and  5th  of  April, 
re-embarked  his  troops,  an<l,  before  day-light,  was  in  rapid  retreat. 
About  the  same  time  a  heavy  force  of  the  enemy,  which  had  been 
collected  at  Baton  Rouge,  was  mostly  withdrawn  and  transferred  to 
western  Louisiana,  leaving  but  one  division  to  occupy  that  place. 
After  consultarion,  by  telegraph,  with  Major  General  Gardner,  com- 
manding Port  Hudson  and  the  third  military  district,  deeming  the 
garrison  at  Port  Hudson  more  than  sufficient,  under  existing  circum- 
stances, and  to  save  supplies  at  a  point  so  difficult  to  provide,  the  navi-_ 
gation  of  the  Mississippi  river  being  then  obstructed  to  us  and  the 
mouth  of  Red  river,  from  whence  large  quantities  of  subsi^te^ce 
fetores  were  drawn,  being  blockaded  by  one  of  the  enems^'s  gun-boats, 
I  ordero  i  Rust's  brigade  and  two  regiments,  under  Brigadier  (reneral 
Buford,  to  proceed  immediately  to  Jackson,  Mississippi,  With  the 
view  of  employing  them  against  raids  of  the  enemy  in  northern  Mis- 
sissippi— my  great  deficiency  in  cavalry  leaving  that  portion  of  tho 
department  almost  without  protection. 

About  the  1 1th  of  March,  fearing  that  the  enemy  might  succeed  in 
opening  a  canal  practicable  for  the  passage  of  transports  across  the 
peninsula  opposite  Vicksburg,  I  deemed  it  necessary  to  occupy  Grand 
Gulf,  near  the  m  outh  of  Big  Black,  and  assigned  Brig.  General  John  J?. 
Bowen,  with  hisJMissouri  brigade,  to  that  point,  with  instructions  to 
con-itruct  batteries  for  the  protection  of  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Clack, 
an]  a3  a  secondary  obstacle  to  the  navigation  of  the  Miasiseippi  river 
21 


22 

General  Bowen  was  also  directed  to  look  well  to  the  approaches  by 
the  Bayou  Pierri.  He  subsequently  informed  me  that  he  had  prepared 
for  the  defence  on  both  sides  of  the  bayou.  On  the  22nd,  five  heavy 
guns  Avere  mounted  and  ready  for  service;  two  of  these  were  removed 
from  the  batteries  at  Vicksburg,  and  three,  intended  for  gun-boats 
being  built  in  the  trans-Mississippi  department,  were  detained  by  my 
order,  it  being  impracticable  to  obtain  them  elsewhere.  At  the  samo 
time  the  enemy  commenced  his  movement  to  reach  Vicksburg  by  the 
Huchpuccana  and  Deer  creek.  Another  expedition  was  also  attempted 
through  Steele's  bayou  via  Rolling  fork  and  the  Sunflower;  the  object 
of  both  being  to  enter  the-  Yazoo  river  above  Haynes'  Bluff.  In  these 
designs  he  was  completely  baffled.  Many  of  our  smaller  boats,  which 
were  alone  fitted  for  the  navigation  of  these  streams,  and  which  were 
employed  in  the  transportation  ot  supplies  for  Vicksburg,  were  neces- 
sarily directed  from  this  purpose  to  transport  troops  to  meet  and 
repel  these  expeditions.  The  same  interruption  in  the  transpotation 
of  supplies  was  also  of  constant  occurrence  during  the  protracted 
expedition  via  the  Yazoo  pass. 

On  the  7th  of  April,  I  received  a  telegram  from  the  President,  en- 
quiring as  to  the  practicability  of  sending  reinforcements  to  General 
Bragg,  in  middle  Tennessee,  and  directing  me  to  send  them,  if  ex- 
isting circumstances  in  the  department  would  admit  of  it.  On  the 
same  day  lin  formed  the  President,  by  telegram,  that,  in  my  judgment, 
it  was  not  safe  to  diminish  the  forces  in  this  department  at  that  time. 
On  the  9':h  of  April,  I  telegraphed  General  S.  Cooper,  Adjutant  and 
Inspector  General,  as  follows  :  *'  I  am  confident  that  no  reinforce- 
ments (if  any)  have  been  sent  to  Rosecranz  from  Grant.  No  troops 
whatever  are  reported  to  have  gone  above  the  mouth  of  the  Yazoo 
pass.  I  endeavor  to  keep  General  Johnston  advised  of  any  move- 
ment which  may  affect  his  army.  The  enemy  is  constantly  in  motion 
in  all  directions  He  appears  now  to  be  particularly  engaged  with 
Deer  creek,  by  land  from  Greenville.  I  have  forces  there  to  meet 
him.  It  is  reported,  b^it  not  yet  confirmed,  that  a  movement  under 
McClernand,  in  large  force,  by  land,  is  in  progress  west  of  the  river 
and  southward.  I  doubt  it.  My  operations  west  of  the  Mississippi 
must  greatly  depend  on  the  movement  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats.  I 
have  several  regiments  now  near  Carthage ;  I  will  inform  you  promptly 
of  anything  important,  and  if  I  ascertain  that  part  of  Grant's  army 
is  reinforcing  Rosecranz,  will  dispatch  troops  to  General  Johnston, 
■as. rapidly  as  possible," 

On  the  11th  of  April,  I  again  telegraphed  General  Cooper,  Adju- 
tant and  Inspector  General,  and  General  J.  E.  Johnston,  at  TuUa- 
homa,  as  follows:  "  A  scout  from  Austin  reports  that  forty  transports 
loaded  down,  but  without  troops,  passed  up  the  Mississippi  river  on 
'the  3rd  and  4th  instant."  Brigadier  General  Chalmers'  reports 
'that  ". EUett's  marine  brigade  passed  up  the  Mississippi  on  the  7th. 
'The  same  evening,  three  gun-boats  and  nineteen  transports,  loaded 
with  troops,  passed  up — the  last  ten  boats  from  Tallahatchie,  twenty 
•miles  up  Cold  Water,  on  Wednesday,  going  up.  I  tlpnk  that  most  of 
^Grant's  forces  are  being  withdrawn  to  Memphis."     On  the  same  day, 


23 

I  again  telegraphed  General  Johnston,  as  follows :  '*Tho  following 
report  just  received :  Scout  Kemp  reports,  *  near  Byphalia,  on  the 
10th,  the  enemy  is  strengthening  his  guard  on  the  Memphis  and 
Charleston  railroad.  Twelve  thousand  troops  passed  Memphis,  going 
up  the  river,  on  the  7th..  The  same  day  fifty  pieces  of  artillery  were 
landed  at  Memphis,  and  taken  to  the  a\Iemphis  and  Charleston  depot. 
Part  of  Grant's  army  reported  to  be  going  to  Corinth  and  down  the 
Mobile  ond  Ohio  railroad,  the  balance  to  reinforce  Rosecranz.'  Law- 
son  reports,  near  Memphi.^,  lOth,  marine-brigade  gone  up  the  Cumber- 
land river;  also  fourteen  transports  and  two  gun-boats  passed  up  tho 
river.  On  the  night  of  the  7th,  a  corps  of  engineers  re;\4|Jied  Mem- 
phis from  below.''  Acting  on  these  and  other  corroborating  reports, 
I  said  to  General  Johnston,  in  closing  my  despatch  :  ''  I  am  collecting 
troops  here,  and  can  send  you  four  thousand  (4,000)  at  once,  if  abso- 
lutely necessary ;"  and  accordingly,  the  brigades  of  Generals  Tilgh- 
man.  Rust  and  Buford,  were,  on  the  1 3th  of  April,  placed  under 
orders  to  move  with  despatch  to  Tullahoma,  while  General  Vaughatrs 
brigade  of  East  Tennesseeans  was  ordered  to  be  held  in  readiness  to 
move  at  ehort  notice.  Major  L  Mims,  chief  quartermaster,  was 
instructed  to  furnish  the  necessary  transportation  as  speedily  as  pos- 
sible, and  the  following  dispatch,  dated  April  12th,  was  transmitted 
to  General  Johnston :  '•  I  will  forward  troops  to  you  as  fast  ad  trans- 
portation can  be  furnished — about  eight  thousand  men.  Am  satisfied 
Rosecranz  will  be  reinforced  from  Grant's  army.  Shall  I  order  troops 
to  Tullahoma?"  On  the  loth  of  Apri.l,  statements  made  by  persons 
just  out  of  Memphis,  of  which  I  was  notified  by  telegraph,  indicated 
that  the  retrogade  movcmentfrom  Vicksburg  was  probably  a  ruse,  and 
that  an  early  attack  might  be  expected  on  that  place,  and  on  the  iCth 
I  telegraphed  General  Johnston  thus  :  *'  1  can  send  you  only  two 
brigades.  The  latest  information  induces  the  belief  that  no  large  part 
of  Grant's  army  will  be  removed.''  On  the  same  day  General  Steven- 
eon  was  directed  to  delay  the  movement  of  Vaughiiu's  brigade,  and 
on  the  17th,  Major  ]\Iims,  chief  quartermaster,  was  instructed  that 
no  more  troops  would  be  forwarded  in  the  direction  of  Tullahoma  until 
further  orders.  General  Tilghman's  brigade  was  hclii  in  position 
between  Jackson  and  the  Big  Black  bridge,  and  on  the  same  day  the 
following  telegram  was  di.epatched  to  General  Cooper,  Adjutant  and 
Inspector  General:  "General  iStevenson  reports  that  eight  boats 
attempted  to  pass  Vicksburg  last  night ;  five  succeeded  in  pa.ssing  ; 
one  was  burned  and  sunk,  and  two  disabled.  General  Charaberrf 
reports,  sixty-four  steamers  left  Memphis  on  tl*  15th  instant,  loaded 
with  troops  and  negroes,  apparently  with  intention  of  making  an 
assault  on  Vicksburg.  The  enemy  his  bine  (9j  boats  between  \';ckrf- 
burg  and  Port  Hudson.  I  cannot  send-  an}'  mure  troops,  and  iliii.k 
that  those  on  the  way  to  (icneral  Johnston  should  come  baclc.'"  Gen- 
eral Bowen,  at  Grand  Gulf,  was  immediately  advised  of  the  pas.snge 
of  the  boats  referred  to  in  the  above  dispatch,  and  instructed  to  uiili- 
draw  his  troops  from  the  Louisiana  shore  at  the  first  favorable  (;•-);.. r- 
tunity.  lie  wa§  also  imrnediatt-ly  reinforced  by  the  sixth  Mi8si>«i}ipi 
regiment,  the  first  Confederate  battalion,  and  a  field  battery.-    On  the 


S4 

.aatne  dav.  the  foHtVAing  telegram  v;asdi3patcht  tl  to  GeneralJohnston  ; 
"The  troops  sent  yonwere  talceti  f  om  Port  Hu<lson — a  brigade,  under 
Brigadier (icneral  lluf'.rd.  Aggreguto prtflentfour thousand ••ud sixty- 
five.  The  enemy  has  nine  boats  between  Vick-^burg  and  J'ort  Iludion. 
He  bay  land  forces  at  New  Carthage,  from  Grant's  army,  and  can 
reinforce  them  to  any  extent.  He  can  use  his  inne  boats  to  cr.o?;s  his 
troopa  to  this  side  The  arrival  of  General  Lorenao  Thomas  has 
changed  the  enemy's  plans  or  his  movement  up  -.he  river  was  a  ruse. 
1  ought  to  have  back  Buford's  brigade;  certainly  no  more  troop* 
should  leave  this  department.  A  dispatch  from  Brigadier  Geaeral 
O.almers^  yesterday,  says:  si.xty-four  boats  left  Memph's  since 
Thursday  loaded  with  sfldif'r.s  and  negroes,  ostensibly  to  assault 
Vicksburg.  The  raft  in  the  Yu3:oo,  at  Snyder's  mills,  has  given  way,, 
and  is  entirely  destroyed.  I  am,  therefore,  compelled  to  strengthen 
the  batteries  there  at  the  expens'S  of  Yieksburg.  General  Stevenson 
reports  that  eight  boats  pas;:ed  the  bend  last  night.  One  was  burned 
and  two  disabled  apparently.  The  other  five  escaped  uninjured. 
Indications  of  an  attack  on  Yieksburg  are  so  strong  that  I  am  not 
warranted  in  sending  any  more  troops  from  this  department."  From 
information  receive*!  after  this  dispatch  was  sent,  I  learned  that  eight 
of  the  enemy's  most  formidable  gun-boats,  besides  his  transports  and 
barges,  succeeded  in  passing  safely  on  the  18th.  I  found  it  a  very 
difficult  matter  to  obtain  the  necessary  hawsers  and  chains  for  the  raft 
in  the  Y^azoo,  but  it  v.-as  speedily  replaced  wnder  the  active  and  ener- 
getic supervision  of  Mr.  Thomas  TVeldon. 

My  request  for  the  return  of  the  troops  forwarded  to  Middle  Ten- 
nessee to  reinforce  General  Bragg  was  immediately  complied  with.  A 
portion  of  them,  however,  had  reached  Chattanooga,  the  remainder 
were  halted  by  telegraph  at  various  points  on  the  route,  and  the  whole 
were  restored  to  this  departmesit  as  soon  as  was  practicable. 

The  enemy's  vessels  of  war  occupying  tlie  river  betwecji  Yieksburg 
and  Grand  Gulf,  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  operate  elfvctualiy  in  the 
trans-Mississippi  department,  to  prevent  the  advance  of  the  enemy  to 
the  west  bank  of  the  river.  '  On  the  17th  of  April,  therefore,  I  ad- 
dressed the  following  telegraphic  communication  to  Captain  E.  Powell, 
assistant  quartermaster  at  Natchez:  ''  Forward  the  following  to  Lieut. 
General  Smith,  or  Major  General  Taylor,"  viz  :  •*  For  the  want  of 
the  necessary  transportation,  I  cannot  operate  effectually  on  the  west 
hank  of  the  river  ;  the  enemy  is  nov/  in  force  at  New  Carthage  and 
llichmond.  1  beg  your  attenti;  n  to  this."  Captain  Powell  notiiiod  me 
at  once  that  this  dispatch  had  been  forwarded  by  courier.  On  the  i8th,  I 
addressed  a  second  communication,  through  the  same  medium,  as  fol- 
lows:  "  Lieutenant  General  Smith  or  Major  General  Taylor  :  The 
enemy  are  cutting  a  passa<ie  from  near  Y^oung's  Point  to  Bayou 
Yidal,  to  reach  the  Mississippi  river,  near  New  Carthage.  Without 
co-operation  it  is  impossible  to  oppose  him.  Inform  roe  what  action 
you  intend  to  take.  "  To  these  communiea;ions  and  to  a  subsequent 
one  of  22d  of  April,  I  received  no  reply  until  after  the  capitulation 
of  Yieksburg,  when  an  acknowledgm^pat  of  the  receipt  of  that  of  the 
22d,  dated  May  3()th,  reached  me, 


iiv) 


On  the  19tli,  reporta  of  raids  in  northern  Mississippi  from  severs^! 
points  in  Tennessee,  reached  me.  All  the  available  cavalry,  north  of 
the  Soufhern  railroad,  -.vas  at  once  placed  at  the  disposal  of  Brigadier 
Generals  Ruggles  and  Chalmers,  commanding,  respectively,  tlie  first 
and  fifth  military  districts,  which  embraced  all  the  northern  portion 
of  the  State  cf  Mississippi,  and  both  were  notified  of  the  expected 
raid>.  Two  companies  of  -cavalry  of  WauTs  Legion,  alone,  wore 
ordered  to  report  to  B:igadier  (-enernl  Barton,  at  Warrenton.  One 
of  the  marauding  expeditions  under  Colonel  CJiierson,  which  crossed 
the  Tallahatchie  river  at  New  Albany,  succeeded  in  passing  directly 
througli  the  State,  and  eventually  joined  CenenU  r>;inks'  forces  at 
Eaton  Rouge,  l^a.  So  great  was  the  consternation  created  by  this 
raid,  that  it  was  impossible  to  obtain  any  reliable  information  of  the 
enemy's  movements,  rumor  placing  him  in  various  places  at  the  sjune 
time.  On  the  2Uth,  I  addressed  the  following  telegram  to  General 
Johnston  :  "  Can  you  not  make  a  heavy  demonstration  with  cavalry 
on  the  TaUahatchie,  towards  Abbeville,  if  only  tor  fifty  miles?  The 
enemy  are  endeavoring  to  comped  a  diversion  of  my  troops  to  northern 
Mississippi."  The  same  day,  the  following  communication  was 
addressed  to  General  Johnston,  in  response  to  one  from  him.  a>king 
if  I  could  not  send  reinfor-cments  to  the  assistance  of  Colonel  Boddy  : 
"  I  have  not  sufficient  force  to  give  any  elTicient  assistance  to  Cnlonel 
Roddy.  The  enemy  are  advancing  from  Memphis  r/«  Hernando,  from 
(irand  Junction  and  La  Grange  via  ILdly  Springes  and  Salem  and 
from  Corinth  fa  New  Albany.  You  are  aware  that  1  have  but  a 
feeble^avalry  force,  hut  I  shall  certainly  give  you  all  the  aid  I  can. 
I  hav^iterally  no  cavalr}''  from  (iraiid  Gulf  to  Yazoo  city,  while  the 
enemy  is  threatening  to  pass  the  river  between  Vicksburg  and  (irand 
(iiilf.  having  now  twelve  ( 1 2)  vessels  below  the  former  place.  A 
gun  boat  and  one  transport  passed  Austin  on  the  J 8th,  having  in  tow 
fiftev-n  flat-boats  or  pontoons,  with  twenty-five  skiffs  on  them. 
Another  transport  passed  Austin  on  the  l!)th,  towing  sixteen  flats  or 
pontoons."  Briga<lier  (general  Buggies  was  directed  to  send  all  his 
available  cavalfy.both  Confederate  and  State,  at  once  towards  Corinth 
as  a  diversion  in  favor  of  Colonel  Roddy,  General  Johnston  having 
informed  me  that  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy  fiom  Corinth  was  in 
front  of  Roddy  at  Tu^cumbia.  and  desiring  rue,  if  possible,  to  send 
aid  to  the  latter.  Having  no  available  cavalry  to  meet  the  raid  of 
Grierson.  which  was  rav:i";ing  the  northern  portion  of  the  State,  I 
endt'avore'l  to  employ  a  portion  of  Bafoiirs  brigade  (infantry)  then 
returning  to  the  department,  and  <lirected  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  first  regiment,  on  his  arrival  at  Meridian,  to  remain  until  further 
orders,  to  pr^ct  the  most  important  points  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio 
railroad,  an  I  thereby  succeed  in  saving  the  valuible  property, 
machinery,  etc.,  at  Enterprise,  upon  which  town  the  enemy  hdvancetj 
and  deman<led  its  suriendert  --"t  Major  Gf-nera'.  Loriag  having  reachetl 
there  with  a  sufficient  force  of  infiv.i^ry  in  time,  fin  ir  ol-ject  was  frus- 
trated. The  enerny  hail  previously  succeeded  in  destroying  sev'  lal 
miles  of  the  track  of  the  Southern  railroad  wos'  of  Chunky  ri'>r, 
which,  for  more  than  a  week,   greatly   delayed   tte    trauxportatiou   of 


26 

troops,  and  entirely  prevented  that  of  supplies,  except  by  wagbns, 
from  our  depots  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad. 

To  meet  these  raids,  as  far  as  possible.  Major  General  Loring  was 
placed  in  command  of  all  the  troops  then  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio 
rai-lroad,  he  was  directed  not  to  1  'ave  the  line  of  the  road  for  any 
great  distance,  to  keep  in  telegraphic  communication  with  me,  and 
constantly  to  advise  me  of  his  position,  and  that  operations  upon  that 
line  being  minor  in  importance  to  those  upon  the  Mississippi  river, 
his  troops  must  be  so  disposed  as  to  enable  him  to  move  them  in  that 
direction  at  a  moment's  notice.  The  same  day,  the  following  commu- 
nication was  addressed  to  General  Johnston,  at  Tullahoma:  "  Heavy 
raids  are  making  from  Tennessee,  deep  into  this  State  ;  one  is  reported 
now  at  Starkeville,  thirty  (SD)  miles  west  of  Columbus.  Cavalry  is 
indispensable  to  meet  these  expeditions ;  the  little  that  I  have  is  on 
the  field  there,  but  totally  inadequate.  Could  you  not  make  a  demon- 
stration Avith  a  cavalry  force  on  their  rear  ?"  Another  expedition 
having  been  reported  moving  across  the  country  in  a  southwesterly 
direction  from  Pontotoc,  Brigadier  General  Featherston,  then  com- 
manding Fort  Pemberton,  on  the  Yazoo,  was  ordered  to  move,  without 
delay,  towards  Duck  Hill  or  Winina,  and  General  Tilghman,  then  at 
Canton,  was  directed  to  hold  trains  in  readiness  to  move  to  Winina  at 
a  moment's  notice.  This  became  more  necessary  as  a  heavy  column 
of  infantry  as  well  as  cavajry.  v/as  reported  moving  from  Memphis, 
with  the  supposed  view  of  taking  possession  of  Grenada.  The  same 
day,  the  following  communication  was  telegraphed  to  General  Cooper, 
Adjutant  and  Inspector  General :  "  1  have  so  little  cavalry  that  I  am 
compelled  to  divert  a  portion  of  m}'^  infantry  to  meet  raids  inPnorth 
Mississippi.  If  any  troops  can  possibly  be  spared  from  other  depart- 
ments, I  t;iink  they  should  be  sent  here."  Every  effort  was  made  by 
me  to  provide  cavalry  to  arrest  Grierson's  raid,  also  to  accumulate  a 
force  for  operations*  in  the  direction  of  Warrenton  and  Grand  Gulf. 
Thinking  it  quite  as  probable  that  Grierson  would  return  by  the  route 
on  which  he  was  advancing,  as  that  he  would  continue  his  progress 
southward,  on  the  '24th,  Brigadier  General  Chalmers,  at  Panola,  was 
directed  to  move  with  all  his  cavalry  and  light  artillery,  via  Oxford  to 
Okelona,  to  intercept  the  force  of  the  enemy  then  at  Newton  station, 
on  the  Southern  railroad.  Captain  Henderson,  commanding  special 
Bcouts  at  Grenada,  was  also  instructed  to  send  couriers  to  Generals 
Loring,  Buford  and  Ruggles,  notifying  those  oflicers  by  telegrams 
from  the  nearest  telegraph  office,  and  advising  each  station  ou  the 
road  that  the  enemy  had  reached  ^  ewton  on  the  Southern  road.  A 
force  was  also  ordered  to  proceed  from  Jackson  to  Forrest  or  Lake 
station,  or  to  such  other  points  as  circumstances  ^ight  render 
necessary. 

Major  General  Gardner,  at  Port  Hudson,  was  notified  that  the 
enemy  had  reached  the  Southern  railroad,  that  it  was  probable  he 
would  endeavor  to  form  a  junction  with  Banks  at  Baton  Rouge,  and 
was  instructed  to  send  all  his  disposable  cavalry  to  intercept  him. 
Brigadier  General  Featherstone  with  his  brigade,  then  at,  or  en  route 
for,    Winina,    was  ordered  to   move  to    Grenada,  if  there   Avas   any 


27 

npproach  of  the  enemy  (as  was  reported)  from  the  Dorth  of  that  place, 
unless  he  was  also  threatened  by  an  advance  from  the  east.  As  it 
was  possible  that  Griersons'  forces  might  return  by  Jackson,  such 
arrangements,  as  my  means  allowed,  were  made  to  defend  the  capital 
of  the  State. 

Brigadier  General  Tilghman,  then  at  Canton,  was  authorized  to 
mount  one  of  his  regiments  at  that  place,  by  the  impressment  of 
horses  or  otherwise ;  and  immediate  steps  were  taken  to  mount  the 
twentieth  Mississippi  and  a  detachment  of  the  fourteenth  Mississippi, 
both  of  these  regiments  being,  at  the  time,  on  duty  in  Jackson.  Simi- 
lar authority  was  given  to  General  Loring,  then  on  the  Mobile  and 
Ohio  railroad,  to  mount  what  force  he  could  on  that  line. 

In  the  impressment  of  horses  and  their  necessary  equipments, 
Major  L.  Minis,  chief  quartermaster,  was  materially  aided  by  his 
Excellency,  the  Governor  of  Mississippi,  Avho  was  also  earnestly 
advised  to  mount,  by  the  same  process,  a  portion  of  the  State  troops 
in  northern  Mississippi.  All  the  cavalry  I  could  thus  collect,  south 
of  the  Southern  railroad,  was  placed  under  the  orders  of  Colonel  R. 
V.  Richardson,  until  he  should  fall  in  with  Colonel  Wirt  Adams,  who 
was  then  directed  to  assume  command,  and  direct  the  movements  of 
the  whole.  On  the  28tb,  it  was  ascertained  that  Grierson  was  con- 
tinuing his  movements  south  of  Hazlehurst,  and  not  towards  Grand 
Gulf  or  the  Big  Black  bridge.  Colonel  Adams  was  directed  to  follow 
him  up,  and  ambuscade  him  if  possible.  These  instructions  were 
carried  out  as  far  as  practicable,  and  resulted  in  a  smart  skirmish  near 
Union  Church.  Colonel  Adams'  force,  however,  was  too  weak  to  effect 
anything  important.  Grierson,  after  suffering  considerable  loss  by 
an  ambuscade  further  south,  which  was  well  planned  and  executed  by 
a  cavalry  force  from  ^Injor  General  Gardner's  command,  eventually 
succeeded  in  joining  General  Banks  army  at  Baton  Rouge.  I  have 
been  thus  circumstantial  in  reciting  the  incidents  connected  with  this 
celebrated  raid,  that  I  might  clearly  demonstrate  the  great  deficiency, 
I  might  almost  say,  absence  of  cavalry  in  my  departments,  and  the 
absolute  impossibility  of  protecting  my  communications,  departments, 
and  even  my  most  vital  positions,  without  it,  and  further  to  show  that, 
consequent  upon  this  want  of  cavalry,  I  was  compelled  to  employ 
infantry,  and  thus  weaken  my  force  in  that  arm  at  other  points.  I 
wrote  to  General  Johnston  on  March  2oth,  urgently  requesting  that 
the  division  of  cavalry  under  Major  General  Van  Dorn,  which  had 
been  sent  to  the  army  of  Tennessee  for  special  and  temporary  pur- 
poses, might  be  returned  to  me.  Under  date  of  Tullahoma,  April  3d, 
Colonel  B.  S.  Ewell,  A.  A.  Gcnenil,  replied  to  my  request,  and  from 
that  reply,  I  make  the  followiiig  extract:  '  In  the  present  aspect  of 
aflfiiirs.  General  Van  Dorn"s  cavalry  is  much  more  needed  in  this 
department  than  in  that  of  Mississippi  and  east  Louisiana,  and  cannot 
be  sent  back  as  long  as  this  state  of  things  exist.  You  have  now  in 
your  department  five  brigades  of  the  troops  you  mo.st  require,  viz  : 
infjintry,  belonging  to  the  army  of  Tennessee.  This  is  more  than  a 
compensation  for  the  absence  of  General  Van  Dorn's  cavalry  com- 
mai; !."'     I  will  terminate  this  subject  with   the  following  telegram, 


28 

arMressed  to  General  Jdhnston  ai  Tullahoraa,  on  the  i27th  of  April  : 
*•  However  necessary  cavalry  may  he  to  the  army  r)f  Tennessee,  u  i.s 
indispensahle  for  me  to  maintain  my  communications.  The  enemy 
are  to-iay  at  Ilazlehurst,  on  the  N.mv  Orleans  and  Jackson  railroad. 
I  cannot  defend  every  station  on  the  road,-^  with  infmtry.  I  am  com- 
pelled to  bring  cavalry  here  from  northern  Missis^^ippi,  and  .hui  the 
whole  of  th:;t  section  of  the  State  is  l<ft  open.  Further,  these  raids 
endanger  my  vital  positions."  When  itse^■med  probable  that  the  enemy 
would  succeed  in  opening  a  navigable  canal  across  fhe  peninsula,  oppo- 
site Vickshurg.  and  thus,  to  a  gr-^at  e.xtent,  avoid  the  batteries  estab- 
lished there,  I  directed  that  Grand  Gulf  should  be  occupied,  and  as 
many  heavy  giui^*  pi  fCfd  in  po-^i'ion  as  could  be.  without  too  much 
wakeninL:  the  defences  of  Vick.sburg.  Believing  that  the  urgency 
of  the  case  d'-manded  it,  I  assumed  the  responsility  of  detaining  three 
h^avy  guns  en  route  fo:"  the  trans-Mississippi  department,  and  with- 
drew two  others  from  the  batteries  at  Vickshurg  Insufficient  as  I 
knew  this  battery  to  be,  it  was  the  heaviest  1  could  place  there.  Fort 
Pemberton,  on  the  Tallahatchie,  then  occupied  our  attention,  'i  he 
enemy,  in  large  force,  by  land  and  water,  was  exertiiig  all  his  ener- 
gies agaijUst  that  position,  Aviih  the  view  of  turning  the  right  fiank 
of  Vickshurg.  and  every  available  gun  was  required  for  its  deffi.ce. 
This  necessity  continued  to  exist  until  the  fall  of  the  rivers  renders-d- 
an approach  by  water  impracticable.  Grand  Gulf  was  not  selected  as 
a  position  for  land  defence,  but  for  the  protpction  of  the  mouth  o-f  tl\e 
Big  Black,  and  also  as  a  precautionary  measure  against  the  passage 
of  transports,  should  the  canal  before  referred  to  prove  a  succes, 
■which  then  seemed  highly  probable.  Th^^  necessary  works  were, 
however.  con>:tru -ted  under  the  direction  of  Brigadif^r  General  Bowen, 
to  defend  the  batteries  against  an  assault  from  the  river  front,  and 
agamt  a  direct  attack  from  or  acoss  Big  Black.  When,  however,  the 
enemy  succeeded  in  passing  sufficient  transports  to  cross  his  troops 
froio  the  west  bsink  of  the  river  below  Grand  Gulf,  there  being  a  prac- 
ticable route  by  which  to  move  his  bind  forces  from  above  Vicksbing 
to  a  point  nearly  opposite  Bruinsburg,  the  position  of  Grand  Gulf 
itself  lost  most  of  its  Value;  but  so  great  were  his  facilities  of  rr im- 
portation, and  so  rapid  bis  movements,  that  it  whs  impractit;able  to 
withdraw  the  beavy  guns.  The  onlv  means  of  subsisting  an  arny 
south  of  Big  Black,  are  from  Vickshurg  or  Jackson;  the  form-ir 
reqtiiring  a  transportition  by  dirt  road  of  forty,  and  the  latter  of 
fiirty-five  miles,  in  addition  to  that  by  rail  Without  cavalry  I  could 
not  have  protected  my  own  coinuiunications,  much  less  have  cut  those 
of  the  enemy.  To  have  marched  -.m  army  across  Big  Black  of  suffi- 
cient strength  to  warrant  a  reasonable  hopeof  succe-^sftdly  encounter- 
ing his  ver}'  superior  forces,  woubl  have  stripped  Vickshurg  and  its 
essential  flank  defences  of  their  garrisons,  and  the  city  itself  might 
have  fallen  an  eapy  Drey  into  the  eager  hanis  of  the  enemy.  The 
enemy  htiving  succeeded,  on  the  night  of  April  16th.  (as  heretofore 
related,)  in  passing  the  batteries  at  Vickshurg  v;ith  a  numbap  of  bis 
gun-bnat9  and  transports,  and  the  report  qf  a  neavy  moveinent  to  tue 
southward  on  the  Lpuisiana  shore  being  fully  confirmed,  I  imnaediatt-ly 


29 

made  the  necessary  di?p«''ilion9  for  more  pftrfectly  gujirding  all  points? 
her.ween  Vicksburg  ancl  Grund  Gulf,  an!  reinfurced  Brigadier  General 
Bowen  with  Green's  brigade,  the  ixth  Mississippi  regiment,  the  first 
Oonf. derate  battalion,  and  a  battery  of  fiold  ar  illery  Other  truops 
were  collected  on  the  line  of  the  r;»ilroa<l  betwei-n  Jackson  and  the 
Big  Jjlack  bridge;  and  measures  wore  taken  to  get  the  troops  that 
were  beins:  returned  from  midtile  Tennessee  info  such  rositions  that 
they  cculd  be  readily  moved  at 'a  ni'^mctit's  notice.  Major  (General 
Stevenson  was  directed  to  place  five  thousand  m^n  in  easy  supp'  rting 
distance  of  Wanenton,  in  additimi  to  the  briga>le  already  there. 
Major  Lockett,  my  chief  engineer,  was  sent  to  Oaud  Gu\{.  On  the 
22d,  I  addressed  a  communicatinn  to  Cleneral  E.  Kirby  Smith, 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of  one  from  him  of  the  1 5th,  asking  my 
CO  operation  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mijsissippi,  and  stating  my 
inability  to  do  so,  because  of  the  enemy's  gun-boats  in  the  river,  and 
from  want  of  transportation,  and  again  a?king  his  cooperation  in 
front  of  Grand  Gulf  and  Ncat  Carthage. 

The  following  telegram  was  addressed  to  Major  General  Stevenson 
on  the  23d  :  "  I  consider  it  essential  that  communications,  at  least  for 
infantry,  shorld  be  ma'le  by  the  shortest  practicable  route  to  Gr  nd 
Gulf  The  indications  now  are  that  the  attack  will  not  be  made  on 
your  front  or  right,  and  all  troops,  not  al)Solutely  necessary  to  hold 
the  works  at  Vicksbvrg,  should  be  hehl  as  a  moveable  force  for  either 
Warrenton  or  Grand  Gulf."  On  the  "28th,  Brigadier  General  Bowen 
telegraphed,  that  "  trans^  ortsand  barg«  s,  loaded  down  with  troops,  are 
landing  at  Hard  Times,  on  the  west  bank."  I  immediately  replied  as 
follows  :  "  Have  you  force  enough  to  hold  your  position  ?  If  not,  give 
me  the  sm.'^llest  additional  nurubcr  with  which  you  can.  My  i-niall 
cavalry  force  necessitates  the  use  of  infantry  to  protect  important 
points."  Major  General  Loring.  then  at  Meridian,  was  ordered  to 
send  two  of  his  regiments  across  the  break  on  the  Southern  railrcad, 
near  Chunky  river,  and  Colonels  Farrell  and  Reynolds,  who  were 
west  of  the  break,  were  ordered  to  proceed  immediately  to  Jackson. 
Major  General  Buckn.,r,  commanding  at  Mobile,  was  notified  that  I 
should  want  hira  to  assist  mc  in  protecting  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  rail- 
road, as  I  required  all  the  troops  I  could  spare  to  strengthen  General 
Bowen. 

Major  General  Gardner,  at  Fort  Hudson,  was  also  ordered  to  move 
Gregg's  brigade  rapidly  to  Jackson.  Brigadier  General  Tilghraan, 
then  on  the  Mississi^ipi  Central  railroad,  was  directed  to  move  promptly 
with  all  of  his  troops  (save  bridge  guards)  to  Jackson.  Major  Clark, 
commanding  at  Brcokhaven,  was  instructed  to  send  couriers  to  all 
cavalry  commanders  near  him,  ordering  them  to  move  towards  Grand 
Gulf,  with  directions  not  to  encounter  the  main  body  of  the  enemy, 
but  to  harrass  him  in  the  rear  and  ilank.  Similar  instructions  were 
forwarded  to  0-yka  and  Hazdehurst.  To  (»eneral  Johnston,  at  Tulla- 
lioma,  the  follov^'ng  telegram  wag  sent : 

"  The  enemy  is  at  Hard  Tim-^^s,  Louisiana,  in  1  irgc  force,  with  bar- 
ges and  transport.'*,   indicating  an  attack   oa  Grand  Gulf,  with  a  view 


so 

to  Vickshxivg.  I  must  look  to  tlie  army  of  Tennessee  to  protect  the 
approaches  through  North  Mississippi." 

The  following,  also,  to  Major  General  Stevenson,  at  Vicksburg  : 

"  Hold  five  thousand  men  in  readiness  to  move  to  Grand  Gulf,  and 
on  the  requisition  of  Brigadier  General  Bowcn,  .move  them.  With 
your  batteries  and  rifle-pits  manned,    the  city  front  is  impregnable." 

To  General  Bowen,  at  the  same  time,  the  following  was  sent : 

**Ihave  directed  General  Stevenson  to  have  five  thousand  mea 
ready  to  move  on  your  requisition  but  do  not  make  requisition  unless 
absolutely  necessary  for  the  safety  of  your  position.  I  am  also  mak- 
ing arrangements  for  sending  you  two  or  three  thousand  men  fromthisf 
direction,  in  case  of  necessity.  You  cannot  communicate  with  me 
too  frequently." 

I  believe  that  I  fully  estimated  the  importance  of  preventing  aa- 
advance  upon  Jackson,  if  it  could  be  done  without  sacrificing  Vicks- 
burg ;  but  if  the  battle  was  lost,  the  former  was  comparatively  of 
little  value.  Vicksburg  might  still  be  held,  with  Jackson  in  posses- 
sion of  the  enemy,  but  it  was  the  hope  of  being  able  to  hold  the  posi- 
tion on  Bayou  Pierre,  upon  which  the  safety  of  Jackson  depends,  that 
made  me  most  anxious  to  reinforce  General  Bowen  ;  or,  failing  in  that, 
at  least  to  have  a  sufficient  force  at  hand  to  secure  bis  retreat  across 
the  Big  Black. 

On  the  3i)th  of  April,  I  received  the  first  information  of  the  land- 
ing of  the  enemy  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi  river.  General 
Bowen  reported  by  telegraph  that  three  thousand  (3,000)  Federal 
troops  were  at  Bethel  Church,  ten  miles  from  Port  Gibson,  at  three 
o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  29th,  and  that  they  were  still  landing 
at  Bruinsburg.  Brigadier  General  Tracey,  of  Stevenson's  division, 
had  reached  Grand  Gulf  with  his  brigade  on  the  3l)th.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Brown,  ot  the  twentieth  Mississippi,  with  fifty  mounted  men 
of  his  regiment,  left  Jackson  for  the  same  place  on  the  '29th  ;  and 
Major  J.  D.  Bradford,  a  good  artillery  officer,  was  sent  to  replace  the 
lamented  Colonel  Wade,  as  chief  o^  crtillery 

Between  twelve  and  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on  the  30th,  Brigadier 
General  Baldwin,  with  his  brigade  of  Smith's  division,  had  crossed 
the  Big  Black  at  Hankinson's  ferry.  At  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.,  May 
1,  General  Bowen  informed  me  by  telegraph,  his  army  being  then  ia 
position  three  miles  south  of  Port  Gibson,  that  General  Baldwin  was 
entering  the  latter  place.  On  the  same  day,  General  Bowen  tele- 
graphed me  that  prisoners  taken  reported  McClernand  in  command  ; 
that  three  divisions  had  landed,  one  of  which  took  the  right-hand  road 
from  Ptodney,  and  that  the  enemy's  force  was  estimated  at  twenty 
thousand  men.  He  added,  however  :  "  I  disbelieve  the  report."  At 
three,  P.  M.,  the  same  day.  General  Bowen  advised  me  that  he  still 
held  his  position,  but  that  he  was  hard  pressed,  and  concluded  by  ask- 
ing vrhen  Major  General  Loring  would  arrive.  In  reply,  he  was  noti- 
fied by  telegram  that  another  brigade  from  Vicksburg  was  en  route  to 
reinforce  him,  and  would  probably  reach  him  before  Major  General 
Loring  could  arrive  from  Jackson.  At  5.30,  P.  M.,  he  informed  me 
that  he  was  falling  back  across  the  Bayou  Pierre,  and  that  he  would 


SI 

endeavor  to  hold  that  position  until  the  arrival  of  reinforcements. 
On  reaching  Rocky  Springs,  about  eighteen  miles  from  Grand  Gulf, 
Major  General  Loring,  learning  that  Brigadier  General  Bowen  had 
fallen  back,  before  a  large  force,  from  Port  Gibson,  in  the  direction  of 
Grand  Gulf,  directed  two  regiments  and  a  field  battery  of  Tilghman's 
brigade,  which  had  been  withdrawn  from  the  Big  Black  bridge,  to 
move  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  Grindstone  ford,  and  hoUl  it  at  all  haz- 
ards, to  prevent  the  enemy  from  flanking  Bowen  in  that  direction,  and 
then  proceeded  himself  to  the  headquarters  of  General  Bowen,  near 
Grand  Gulf  Major  General  Loring  concurring  wuth  General  Boweis 
as  to  the  impracticability  of  holding  his  position  with  so  small  a  force,, 
directed  its  withdrawal  across  Big  Black,  at  Hankinson's  ferry. 

In  his  official  report,  Major  General  Loring  says  :  "  This  had  hardly 
been  determined  upon,  when  your  communication  was  received,  stating, 
that  the  enemy  had  fallen  back  towards  Grand  Gulf,  and  ordering  it 
to  move  at  once  out  of  its  position,  and  to  cross  the  Big  Black  at  Han- 
kinson's ferry."  The  movement  was  promptly  carried  out.  Previous 
to  crossing  the  river,  however,  Colonel  A.  W.  Reynolds'  brigade,  of 
Stevenson's  division,  had  arrived.  Not  having  heard  from  General 
Bowen  after  5.30,  P.  M.,  on  the  1st  instant,  I  dispatched  him,  via 
Rocky  Springs,  on  the  morning  af  the  2d,  as  follows  : 

"  If  you  are  holding  your  position  on  the  Bayou  Pierre,  and  your 
communication  is  open  by  the  Big  Black  to  this  place,  continue  to 
hold  it.  I  am  informed  that  you  have  fallen  back  to  Grand  Gulf;  if 
this  is  so,  carry  out  my  instructions  just  sent  in  cypher." 

These  instructions  were,  in  case  he  had  fallen  back  to  Grand  Gulf,, 
which  is  a  cul  dc  sac,  to  destroy  his  heavy  guns  and  such  stores  as  could 
not  be  transported,  and  endeavor  to  retire  across  the  Big  Black.  The 
last  brigade  of  Maj.  Gen.  Stevenson's  division,  which  had  been  hurried 
forward  to  reinforce  Bowen,  with  the  hope  of  enabling  him  to  hold 
his  position  on  the  Bayou  Pierre,  or,  in  case  he  should  be  compelled 
to  fall  .back,  to  protect  his  retreat,  had  not  all  arrived  when  the  retiring 
column  under  Major  General  Loring  commenced  crossing  the  Big 
Black  at  Hankinson's  ferry. 

For  the  details  of  the  battle  at  Port  Gibson,  the  list  of  casualties, 
etc.,  I  beg  to  refer  to  the  official  report  of  Brigadier  General  Bowen, 
and  the  reports  of  his  subordinate  commanders,  which  I  have  the 
honor  to  transmit  herewith,  as  also  the  report  of  Major  General  Lor- 
ing, who  commanded  the  retreat  after  the  column  had  been  put  in  mo- 
tion by  Brigadier  General  Bowen.  Amongst  the  slain  whom  the 
country  deplores,  I  regret  to  mention  Brigadier  General  E,  D.  Tracey, 
a  brave  and  skilful  officer,  who  fell,  where  it  is  the  soldier's  pride  to 
fall,  at  the  post  of  duty  and  of  danger. 

Though  disastrous  in  its  results,  the  bloody  encounter  in  front  of 
Port  Gibson  nobly  illustrated  the  valor  and  constancy  of  our  troops, 
and  shed  additional  lustre  upon  the  Confederate  arras.  Confronted 
by  overwhelming  numbers,  the  heroic  Bowen  and  his  gallant  officers 
and  men  maintained  the  unequal  contest  for  many  hours,  with  a  cour- 
age and  ob.stinacy  rarely  equalled  ;  and  though  they  failed  to  secure 
:a  victory,  the  world  will  do  them  the  justice  to  say  they  deserved  it. 


St 

With  a  moderate  cavalry  force  at  my  disposal,  T  am  firmly  convinced 
that  the  Federal  army  under  General  Grant  would  have  been  unable  to 
maintain  its  communications  with  the  Mississippi  river,  and  that  the 
attempt  to  reach  Jackson  and  Vick>burg  from  that  base  would  have 
been  as  signally  defeated  in  ^lay,  \&Go,  as  a  like  attempt,  from  an- 
other base,  had,  by  the  employment  of  cavalry,  br^en  defeated  m  De- 
cember, 1 862.  The  repulse  of  General  Bowen  at  Port  Gibson,  and 
our  consequent  withdrawal  to  the  north  bank  of  the  Eig  Black,  ren- 
dered it  necessary  that  I  should,  as  rapidly  as  possible,  concentrate 
my  whole  force  for  the  defence  of  Vicksburg  from  an  attack  in  the 
rear  by  Grant's  army,  which  was  hourly  swelling  its  numbers.  Or- 
ders, therefore,  were  immediately  transmitted  to  the  officers  in  com- 
mand at  Grenada,  Columbus,  and  Jackson,  to. move  all  available  forces 
to  Vicksburg.  as  rapidly  as  possible.  On  the  morning  of  the  third,- 
two  of  the  enemy's  barges,  loaded  with  hospital  and  commissary  stores, 
were  destroyed  in  attempting  to  pass  the  batteries  at  V^icksburg.  On. 
tlie  fifth,  I  telegraphed  General  Johnston  that  six  thousand  cavalry 
should  be  used  to  keep  my  communications  open,  and  that  the  enemy 
advancing  on  me  was  'ouble  what  I  could  bring  into  the  field.  To 
the  honora'jle  Secretary  of  War  I  sent  the  following  telegram,  under 
date  of  May  6  :  •'  General  Beauregard  eends  but  two  brigades,  per- 
haps not  five  thousand  men.  This  is  a  very  insufficient  number.  The 
atake  is  a  great  one  :  I  c-ah  see  nothing  so  important."  On  the  7ch, 
the  President  notified  me  that  all  the  assist mce  in  his  power  to  send 
should  be  forwarded,  and  that  it  Was  deemed  necessary  to  hold  Port 
Hudson,  as  a  means  of  keeping  up  our  communications  with  the  trans^ 
Mississippi  department.  Major  General  Gardner,  who,  with  Brigadier 
General  IM  ixcey  and  five  thousand  (o,0i)0)  men,  had  previously  been 
ordered  to  Jackson  to  reinforce  this  army,  was  immediately  directed 
to  send  Maxcey's  brigade  rapidly  forward,  and  to  return  himself  with 
two  thousand  (2,000)  men  to  Port  Hudson,  and  hold  the  place  at  all 
hazards.  On  the  7th.  indications  rendered  it  probable  that  the  enemy 
would  make  a  raid  on  Jackson.  The  stall"  dopartments,  therefore,  and 
all  valuable  stores,  were  ordered  to  be  remo  ed  east.  In  the  mean- 
time, ray  troops  were  so  disposed  as  to  occupy  the  Warrenton  and 
Hall's  ferry  road,  which  afforded  great  facilities  for  concentration,  and 
various  positions  on  the  P>aldwin's  ferry  road,  and  from  thence  between 
Bovina  and  Edward's  depot,  each  division  being  in  good  feiipporting 
distance  of  the  other.  Colonel  Waul,  commanding  Fort  Femberton, 
was  directed  to  leave  a  garrison  of  three  hundred- (300)  men  at  that 
place,  and  proceed  vrith  the  remainder  of  his  force  to  Snyder's  Mills. 
On  the  lOth,  information  was  received  from  a  scouting  party  that 
visited  Cayuga  and  Utica,  where  the  enemy  had  recently  been,  thaft 
his  cavalry  force  was  about  two  thousand,  and  that  he  was  suppo&ed 
to  be  moving  on  V^icksburg.  My  dispositions  were  made  accord ingJy, 
and  every  effort  was  used  to  collect  all  the  cavalry  possible.  Such  as 
could  be  crbtained  were  placed  under  the  command  of  Colonsl  Wirt, 
Adams,  who  was  directed  to  harrass  the  euemy  an  hia  line  of  march,, 
cut  his  communications  wherever  practicable,  patrol  the  country  thor- 


3b 

onghly,  and  to  keep  Brigadier  General  Gregg,  (who  bad  just  arrivc.l 
with  his  brigade  from  Port  Hudson,  and  was  then  at  Raymond,)  fully 
advised  of  the  enemy's  movements.  On  the  1  |tb,  Brigadier  General 
John  Adams,  commanding  at  Jackson,  was  directed  to  hurry  forwarJ, 
as  last  a3  they  could  arrive,  the  troops  from  South  Carolina,  to  rein- 
force Brigadier  (General  Gregg,  at  Raymond.  At  this  time,  informa-- 
tion  was  received  from  Rrig:idier  General  Tilghman  that  the  oneiny 
was  in  force  opposite  B.ildwin's  ferry,  and  Gregg  was  notified  ticcord.- 
ingly,  and  informed  that  the  enemy's  movements  were  apparently  to- 
wards the  Big  Black  bridge,  and  not,  as  had  been  suppobed,  agaiast 
Jackson.  On  the  12th,  the  following  was  addresseii  to  Major  Gcnerr.l 
Stevenson  : 

"From  information  received,  it  is  evident  the  enemy  is  advancin;^ 
in  force  on  Edv  ard's  depot  and  Big  Black  bridge;  hot  skirmij^hiug 
has  been  going  on  all  the  morning,  and  the  enemy  are  at  Fourteen 
Mile  Creek.  You  must  move  up  with  your  whole  division  to  thehup- 
port  of  Loring  and  BoWvsn  at  the  bridge,  leaving  Baldwin's  anJ 
Moore's  brigades  to  protect  your  right." 

In  consequence  of  this  information.  Brigadier  General  Gregg  \\:x^ 
ordered  not  to  aftack  the  enemy  until  he  was  engaged  at  Edwaid's  or 
the  bridge,  but  to  be  ready  to  fall  on  his  rear  or  flank  at  any  moment,, 
and  to  be  particularly  cautious  not  to  allow  himself  to  be  flanked  or 
taken  in  ihe  rear.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  every  measure  had  been 
taken  to  protect  Edward's  'epot  and  Big  Black  bridge,  and  by  ofT'..'r. 
ing  or  accepting  battle,  to  endeavor  to  preserve  my  communic-iions 
with  the  east.  At  this  juncture,  however,  the  battle  of  RayniouJ 
was  fought,  by  a  large  body  of  the  enemy's  forces,  and  one  hiigada 
of  our  troops  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General  Gregg.  I 
have  received  no  official  report  o:  that  aff.iir,  and  hence  cm  nut  say 
how  it  was  fought,  or  by  whom  the  engagement  was  brought  on  IJn. 
official  information  represents  Brigadier  General  (iregg  and  his  small 
comm.ind  to  have  behaved  with  great  gallantry  aiKi  steadiness,  l>ut 
after  an  obstinate  conflict  of  several  hours  they  were  finally  over 
whelmed  by  superior  numbers,  and  compelled  to  retire.  The  com- 
mand was  withdrawn  in  good  order,  and  retired  to  Jackson.  On  tho 
14th,  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  made  their  appearance  in  front  of 
Jackison,  ibe  capital  of  the  State.  After  some  fighting,  our  troops 
were  withdrawn,  and  the  enemy  took  possession  of  the  place;  but  as 
General  Johnston  was  commanding  there  in  person,  his  official  r«*f)ort, 
which  has  doubtless  gone  forward,  will  furnish  all  the  intormation  re- 
quired. 

On  the  12th,  the  following  telegram  was  sent  to  General  J.  E. 
JoLnston :  "  The  enemy  is  appearently  moving  his  heavy  force 
towards  PJdward's  depot,  on  Southern  railroad.  With  my  limiiecl 
force  I  will  do  all  I  can  to  meet  him;  that  will  be  the  battle- 
field, if  I  can  carry  forward  eufficient  force,  leaving  troof  s  enoiichi 
to  secure  the  safety  of  this  place,  (Vicksburg  )  Jteinf^rcements  arc 
arriving  very  slowly,  only  fifteen  hundred  having  arrived  as  yvt.  \ 
urgently  ask  that  more  be  sent,  also   that  three  thousand  (3,(MiiA 


r 


S4. 

cavr.irj  !ic  at  once  sent  to  operate  on  this  line.  I  urge  this  as  3- 
positive  necessity.  The  enemy  largely  outnumber  me,  and  I  am 
obliged  to  hold  back  a  large  fore©  at  the  ferries  on  Big  Black,  lest  he 
cross  and  take  this  place,  I  am  also  co'mpelled  to  keep  considerable 
force  on  either  fiank  of  Vicksburg,  out  of  supporting  distance." 
The  same  dispatch  was  also  sent  to  His  Excellency,  President  Davis, 
on  the  same  date.  The  divisions  of  Major  Generals  Loring  and 
Stevenson  moved  from  the  line  they  had  occupied  between  Warrenton 
and  Big  Black  bridge  to  Edward's  depot.  General  Stevenson,  being, 
directed  to  keep  well  closed  upon  the  rear  of  General  Boring's  eolumn. 
On  the  evening  of  the  12th,  I  moved  my  headquarters  to  Bovina  to 
be  nearer  the  scene  of  active  operations.  The  command  arrived  at 
Edward's  depot  on  the  13th,  and  was  placed  in  position,  covering  all 
approaches  from  the  south  and  east  in  the  following  order,  viz  : 
Bowen  on  the  right,  Loring  in  the  centre,  and  Stevenson  on  the  left, 
t'his  position  was  occupied  from  the  night  of  the  13th  until  the  morn- 
ing of  the-  15th, 

On  the  13th,  the  following  dispatch  w-as  sent  to  General  .lohnston  : 
"Genera!  Forney  reports,  from  Vicksburg  this  morning,  four  trans- 
ports loadfd  with  troops,  arrived  at  Young's  Point  this  morning. 
Five  regiments  and  a  battery  passed  down  by  Brown  &  Johnston's. 
Wagon  trains  continued  to  pass  back  and  forth.  My  reinforcements 
will  be  very  small,  and  arrive  very  slowly.  If  possible.  Port  Hudson 
should  be  reinforced.  I. have  been  forced  to  draw  largely  from  there. 
1  haye  no  major  general  to  command  brigades  arriving  in  Jackson.  I 
ftm  in  position  with  eight  brigades  near  Edward's  depot." 

Dn  the  morning  of  the  l4th,  while  on  my  way  to  Edward's  depot 
from  Bovina,  I  leceived  the  following  dispatch,  dated  May  13th,  from' 
(jleneral  Johnston,  then  at  Jackson:  "I  have  lately  arrived  and 
learn  thot  Major  General  Sherman  is  between  us  with  four  divisions 
at  Clinton.  It  is  important,  to  re-establish  communications,  that  yoii 
rnr.y  be  reinforced.  If  practicable,  come  up  in  his  rear  at  once — to 
beat  such  a  detachment  would  be  cf  immense  value.  The  troops 
here  could  co-operate.  All  the  troops  you  ean  quickly  assemble 
siiould  be  brought.     Time  is  all  importa;nt." 

I  immediately  replied  as  follows: 

Bovina,  May  14,  I8G3. 

I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  re<;eipt  of  your  communicatioi^'. 
1  moved  at.  once  with  whole  available  force,  about  sixteen  thousand,, 
from  Edward's  depot,  leaving  Vaughan's  brigade,  about  fifteen  hun- 
dred, at  Big  Black  bridge  ;  Tilghraan's  brigade,  fifteen  hundred,  now 
al  Baldwin's  ferry,  I  have  ordered  to  bring  up  the  rear  of  my  column  ; 
he  will  be,  howe^^er,  from  fifteen  to  twenty  miles  behind  it,  Bald- 
win's ferry  will  be  left,  necessarily,  unprotected.  To  hold  Vicksburg. 
are  Smith's  and  Forney's  divisions,  extending  from  Snyder's  Mills •  to- 
Warrenton,  numbering,  efi"ective,  seven  thousand  eight  hundred  men,. 
The  men  have  been  marching  several  days,  arc  much  fatigued,  and  1 
fear  will  straggle  very  much.     In  directing  this  move,  I  do  not  think 


h 


M 

"^cti  fiifry  cortiprehencillic  posiuion  that  Vicksfctirg  will  be  left  in  ;  but  I 
■comply  at  once  with  your  order." 

The  "  detachment"  General  Johnston  speaks  of  in  his  communica- 
tion consisted  of  four  divisions  of  the  enemy,  constituted  an  entire 
apiEy  corps,  numcncaliy  greate=r  than  my  whole  available  force  in  the . 
■3eld  ;  besides,  the  enemy  had  at  least  an  equal  force  to  the  south,  on, 
my  right  f?ank,  which  would  l-e  nearer  Vicksburg  than  myself,  i:i  case 
I  should  make  the  movoment  proposed.      I    had,  moreover,  positive. 
information  that  he  v/as  daily  increasing  his  strength.    I  also  learned, 
oa  reaching  Edward's  depot,  that  one  division  of  the  cacray  (A.  J. 
Smith's)  was  at  or  near  Dillons. 

This  cinf.nnod  -ne  iw  the  opinion,  previously  expressed,  that  the . 
movement  indicated  by  General  Johnston  was  extremely  hazardous. 
"I  accordingly  called  a  council  of  war  of  all  the  general  officers  pre- 
sent, and  placiag  the  subject  befor«  them,  (including  General  John-. 
■ston's  dispatch)  in  every  view  in  which  it  appe.'^rcd  to  me,  asked  their- 
opinions  respectively.  A  na^ajority  of  the  officers  present  expressed, 
themselves  favorable  to  the  movement  indicated  by  General  Johustovx. 
The  others,  including  Msjor  Generals  Loring  and  Stevenson,  preforreKiTl 
a  movement  by  which  the  array  might  attempt  to  cut  off  ihe  enemis?'^) 
sepplics  from  tie  Mississippi  river. 

My  own  views  were  strongly  expressed  as  unfavorable  to  anj' 
advance  wb  ieh  would  separate  me  farther  from  Vicksburg,  which  vras  m v 
base.  I  did  not,  however,  see  fit  to  put  my  own  judgment  and  opin-- 
ions  80  far  in  opposition  as  to  prevent  a  movement  altogether,  but,, 
believing  the  only  possibility  of  success  to  be  in  the  plan  of  cutting - 
the  enemy's  communications,  it  was  adopted,  and  the  followiu'^  dis- . 
patch  was  a-ddresscd  to  General  Johnston  : 

"  Edward's  Depot,  May  14,  1603. 

*' I  shall  move  as   early  to-morrow  morning  as  practicable  with  a-, 
column  of  seventeen  (17)  thousand  men  to  Dillions,  situated  on   the 
mam  road  leading  from  Raymond  to  Port  Gibson,  seven  and  a  half 
miles  below  Raymond,  and  nine  and  a  half  miles  from  Edward's  depot, 

*'  The  object  is  to  cut  the   enemy's  communication  and   to  forco 
him  to  attack  me,  as  I  do  not  consider  my  force  sufficient  ta  justify  an  ■ 
attack  on  the  enemy  in  position,  or  to  attempt  to  cut  my  way  to  Jackson. 
At  this  point  your  nearest  communication  would  be  through  Ray- 
mond.    I  wish  very  much  I  could  join  my  reinforcements.      Whether 
it  will  be  most  practicable  for  the  reinforcements  to  come  by  R;'y:iiond»- 
(leaving  it  to  the  right,  if  the  march  cannot  bo  mado  through  Riy- 
mond.)  or  to  move  them  west  along  the  line  of  railroad,  (leaving  it  to  • 
the  left  and  south  of  the  line  of  march,)  to  Bolton's  depot,  or  some  other 
point  west  of  it,  you  must  determine.     In  either  movement,  I  should 
be  advised  as  to  the  time  and  road,  bo  that  co-operation  may  be  had 
to  enable  the  reinforcements  to  come  through,     1  send  you  a  map  of 
the  country, .which  will  furnish  you  with  a  correct  view  of  the  roads 
and  localities." 

Pursuant  to  the  plan  laid  dov.-n  ia  thia  dispRtch,  the  army  -tyas  put- 
in  motion  on  the  15th,  about  I  P.  M.,  ia  accordance  with  the  follow-, 
ing  order,  viz : 


fr 


36 

"IIeadquarteTis  Befartment  Missirsfppi  and  East  Louisiana,  } 
''Edward's  Dipot,  May  14,  1863.  j 

"Special  Order.  > 
No.  — .         S 

''This  army  will  move  to-ioorrow  morning,  loth  instant,  in  the  di- 
rection of  Raymond,  on  the  uiilit;iry  road  in  the  tbllowing  order  : 

"ist.  Colonel  Wirt  Adams'  cavalry  will  form  the  advance  guard, 
•keepii.g  at  least  one  mile  in  advance  of  the  head  of  the  column,  throw- 
ing oat  one  company  in  front  of  bis  column,' and  a  smsill  detachment 
in  its  advance,  besides  the  flankers  upon  hit',  column,  vhen  practica- 
ble. 

**2d  Loring's  division  will  constitute  the  ri^-ht  and  the  advance 
in  tho  line  of  March.  lie  will  threw  a  regiment  of  infantry,  with  » 
section  of  artillery  at  least  two  hundred  yards  in  his  front,  with  & 
company  of  infantry  at  least  seventy-five  yards  in  its  advance,  Ofll 
witii  the  neces.'^ary  detachments  and  flankers. 

*'3d.  Bcwen's  division  will  constitute  the  centre,  and  will  follow  the 
'  leaiiiiig  division. 

*Mih.  Stevenson's  division  will  constitute  the  left,  bringing  up  the 
rear  of  the  column. 

''5th.   The  artillery  of  each  brigade  will  march  in  the  rear   of  the 
'  brig.ide. 

'•6th.  The  ambulances  cf  each  brigade  will  follow  in  the  rear  of  their 
brigade. 

'"Tih.  The  ordnance  wagons  of  each  division  will  follow  in  the  rear 
'  of  their  division. 

"oth.   The  wagon  train  will  follow  in  rear  of  the  entire  column, 

"Jth.   Should  Tilghman's  brigade  arrive  after   the  departure  of  the 
'  column,  it  will  constitute,  with  a  fitld  battery,  the  rear  guard,  fol- 
lowing immediately  in  rear  of  the  V^-agon  train. 

'•M'th.  A  company  of  Wirt  Adams'  cavalry  will  clor^e  the  order  of 
march 

*  1  Ith.  The  wagon  train  will  follow  in  the  order  of  division,  that  is 
to  say,  the  wagon  train  of  l>oring's  division,  on  the  right  of  the  train  ; 
that  of  Bowen's  in  the  centre,  etc. 

•  "'Quartermasters,  commissaries  and  ordnance  officers  will  remain  with 
their  trains,  unless  otherwise  ordered  Straggling,  always  digraceful 
in  an  army,  is  particularly  forbid<lon.  Sttingent  orders  will  be  issued 
by  the  division  comtnanders  to  prevent  this  evil;  the  rear  guard  is 
especially  instructed  to  permit  no  one  to  fall  to  the  rear  under  any 
circumstances." 

A  continuous  and  heavy  rain  had  made  Baker's  Cret  1:  impassible  by 

'  the  ordinary  ford  on  the  main  Raymond    road,  where    the    country 

bridge  had  beon  washed  away  by  previous  freshets;  in  consequence  of 

this,  the  march  was  delayed  for  several  hours;  but  the  .vater  not  falling 

^  sufficiently  to  make  the  creek  fordabie,  the  column  was  directed  by 

the  Clinton  road,  on  which  was  a  good  bridge,  and,  after    passing  the 

.  creek,  upwards  of  one  and  a  half  miles,  was  tiled  to  the  right,  along 

a  neighborhood  road,  so  as  to  strike  the  Raymond  road,  about  three 

and  a  half  miles  from  Edward's  depot.     The  mirch  was  continued 


37 

until  the  head  of  the  column  bad  passed  Mrs.  Elliston's  house,  where 
it  was  halted,  and  the  troops  bivouacked  in  order  of  march. 

I  made  my  headquarters  at  Mrs.  EUiston's,  where  I  found  Major 
General  Loring  had  osttblisliel  his.  The  divisi<^n3  of  Generals  Ste- 
venson and  Bowen  having  been  on  the  march  until  past  midnight,  and 
the  men  considerabl}-  fatigued,  desiring  also  to  receive  repoits  of  re- 
conncisances  made  in  ray  frf-nt  before  proceeding  further,  I  did  not 
issue  orders  to  continue  the  movement  at  an  early  hour  the  following 
morning. 

Immediately  on  fny  arrival  at  Mrs.  EUiston's,  on  the  night  of  the 
15th,  I  sent  for  Colonel  Wirt  Adams,  commanding  the  cavalry,  nnd 
gove  him  the  necessary  instructions  for  picketing  all  approaches  in  my 
front,  and  directed  him  to  send  out  scouting  parties  to  discover  the 
enemy's  whereabouts.  I  also  made  strenuous  efforts  to  effect  the  same 
object  through  citzens,  but  without  success.  Nothing  unsual  occurred 
during   the  night. 

On  the  morning  of  the  iGth.  at  about  six  and  a  half  o'clock.  Ool. 
Wirt  Adams  reported  to  me  that  his  pickets  were  skirmishing  v  ith 
the  enemy  on  the  Raymond  road,  some  distance  in  our  front.  While 
in  conversation  with  him,  a  courier  arrived  and  handed  me  the  fol- 
lowing dispatch  from  General  Johnston  : 

"  Banton  Road,  Ten  Milks  from  J.\ckson,  ) 
"  May  \o,  1863,  8  30  o'clock,  A.  AT.  ) 

"Our  being  compelled  to  leave  Jackson  makes  your  plan  impracti- 
cable. The  only  mode  by  which  wc  can  unite  is  by  your  moving  di- 
rectly to  Clinton,  and  informing  me  that  we  may  move  to  that  point 
with  about  six  thousand.  I  have  no  means  of  estimating  enrmy's 
force  at  Jackson. 

*'  The  principal  officers  here  differ  very  widely,  and  I  fear  he  will 
fortify  if  time  is  left  him.  Let  mehearfrom  you  immediately.  Gen, 
.Maxcey  was  ordered  back  to  Brookhaven.  You  probably  have  time  to 
make  him  join  you.     Do  so  before  he  has  time  to  move  away."       * 

I  immediately  directed  a  countermarch,  or  rather  a  retrogade  move- 
ment, by  reversing  the  column  as  it  then  stood,  for  the  purpose  of 
returning  towards  Edward's  depot  to  take  the  Brownsville  road,  and 
then  to  proceed  towards  Clinton  by'  a  route  north  of  the  railroad.  A 
written  reply  to  General  John-son's  instructions  in  wliich  I  notified 
him  that  the  coun'ermarch  had  been  ordered,  and  of  the  rorte  I 
nhould  take,  was  despatched  in  haste,  and  without  allowing  myself  suf- 
ficient time  to  take  a  copy. 

Just  as  this  reverse  movement,  commenced,  the  enemy  drove  in 
r'olonel  Adams'  cavalry  pickets  and  opened  with  artillery,  at  long 
range,  on  the  head  of  my  column  on  the  Raymond  road;  not  knowing 
whether  this  w;\s  an  attack  in  force,  or  simply  an  armed  roconnois- 
Hance,  and  boing  anxious  to  obey  the  instructions  of  General 
Johnston,  I  directed  the  continuance  of  the  movement,  giving  the 
necessary  instructions  for  securing  the  safety  of  the  wagon  tr;iiu. 
The  demonstrations  of  the  enemy  soon  becoming  more  serious,  orders 
were  sent  to  divi'^ion  commanders  to  form  in  line  of  battle  on  the 
cross  road  from  the  Clinton  to  the  Raymond  road — Loring  on  the. 


38 

right,  Bo^cn  in  the  centre,  and  Stevenson  on  the  left.  Major 
Genera]  Stevenson  was  instructed  to  make  the  necessary  dispositions 
for  the  protection  of  the  trains  then  on  the  Clinton  road  jhuI  crossing 
Baker's  Greek,  The  line  of  battle  ^a.^  quickl}'  formed,  without  any 
interference  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  the  position  selected  was 
naturally  a.  strong  one,  and  all  approaches  from  the  front  well 
covered.  A  short  time  after  the  formation  of  the  line,  Loring's 
division  was  thrown  back  so  as  to  cover  the  military  road,  it  being 
reported  that  the  enemy  had  appeared  in  that  direction.  The  enemy 
made  his  first  demonstration  on  our  right,  but,  after  a  lively  artillery 
duel  for  an  hour  or  more,  this  attack  was  relinquished  and  a  large 
force  was  thrown  against  our  left,  where  tkirmishing  became  heavy 
about  ten  o'clock,  and  the  battle  began  in  earnest  along  Stevenson's 
entire  front  about  noon.  Just  at  this  time,  a  column  of  the  enemy 
were  seen  moving  in  front  of  our  centre  towards  the  right.  Landis' 
battery,  of  Bowen's  division,  opened  upon  and  soon  broke  this  column 
and  compelled  it  to  retire.  1  then  directed  Major-General  Loring  to 
move  forward  and  crush  the  enemy  in  his  front,  and  directed  General 
Bowcn  to  co-operate  with  him  in  the  movement.  Immediately  on  the 
receipt  of  my  message,  Genc-ral  Bowen  rode  up  and  announced  his 
readiness  to  execute  his  part  of  the  movement  as  soon  as  Major 
General  Loring  should  advance.  No  movement  was  made  by  Major 
General  Loring,  he  informing  me  that  the  enemy  was  too  strongly 
posted  to  be  attacked,  but  that  he  would  seize  the  first  opportunity  to 
■assault,  if  one  should  ofi"er.  .The  enemy  still  making  strenuous 
efiorts  to  turn  Major  General  Stevenson's  left  flank,  compelled  him  to 
make  a  similar  movement  towards  the  left,  thus  extending  his  own 
line  and  making  a  gap  between  his  and  Bowen's  divisions.  General 
Bowen  was  ordered  to  keep  this  interval  closed,  and  the  same  instruc- 
tions were  sent  to  General  Loring,  in  reference  to  the  interval 
■between  his  and  General  Bowen's  division.  General  Stevenson 
"iyiving  informed  me  that,  unless  reinforced,  he  would  be  unable  to 
.resist  the  heavy  and  repeated  attacks  along  his  whole  line,  Bowen  was 
■ordered  to  send  one  brigade  to  hia  assistance,  which  was  promptly 
brought  forward  under  Colonel  F.  M.  Cockrell,  and  in  a  very  short 
'time  his  remaining  brigade,  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General 
Martin  E.  Green,  was  put  in,  and  the  two  together,  under  their 
.gallant  leaders,  charged  the  enemy  and  for  a  time  turned  the  tide  of 
■battle  in  our  favor,  again  displaying  the  heroic  courage  which  this 
veteran  division  has  made  conspicuous  on  so  many  stricken  fields. 
'The  enemy  still  continued  to  move  troops  from  his  left  to  his  right, 
thus  increasing  his  vastly  superior  forces  against  Stevenson's  and 
IBowen's  divisions.  Feeling  assured  that  there  was  no  important 
£orce  in  his  front,  I  dispatched  several  staflf  officers  m  rapid  succession 
;to  Major  General  Loring,  ordering  him  to  move  all  but  one  brigade 
i-'Tilghraan's,  which  was  directed  to  hold  the  Baymond  road  and  cover 
•■the  bridge  and  ford  at  Baker's  Creek)  to  the  left  as  rapidly  as  possible. 
'To  the  first  of  these  messages,  sent  about  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  answer 
was  returned  by  Major  General  Loring  that  the  enemy  vrfs  in  strong 
"force  in  his  front  and  endeavoring  to  flank  him.     Hearing  no  firing 


39 

on  the  viglit,  I  repeated  my  orders  to  Mujor  General  Lor'ng, 
explained  to  him  the  condition  of  affairs  on  the  left,  and  directo;!  him 
to  pnt  his  two  left  brigades  into  the  fight  as  soon  as  possible.  In  the 
transmission  of  these  various  messages  to  and  fro  over  a  distance  oi 
more  than  a  mile,  much  valuable  time  was  necessirily  consumed, 
which  the  enemy  did  not  fail  to  take  advantage  of. 

About  lour  o'clock,  P.  M.,  a  part  of  Stevensoa's  division  broke 
badly  and  fell  back  in  great  disorder,  but  was  partially  rallied  by  the 
strenuous  exertions  of  my:?elf  and  staff,  and  put  back  under  their  o^?fl 
officers  into  the  fight;  but  observing  that  large  numbers  of  men  wcr^) 
abandoning  the  field  on  Stevenson's  lofc,  desci'ting  their  comrades, 
who  in  this  moment  of  groat-cst  trial  stood  maufully  ac  their  posti,  t 
rode  up  to  General  Stevenson  and,  informing  him  that  I  had  repeat- 
edly ordered  two  brigades  of  General  Loring's  division  to  hi.i 
assistance  and  that  I  was  momentarily  expecting  them,  asked  him 
whether  he  could  hold  iiis  position  ;  he  replie^Vtliat  he  could  not,  that 
he  was  fighting  from  sixty  thousand  to  eighty  thousand  men.  I  tiici 
told  him  1  would  endeavor  myself  to  find  General  Loring  and  har.ten 
him  up,  and  started  immediately  with  that  object.  I  presently  met 
Brigadier  General  Buford's  brigade  of  Loring's  division,  on  tho 
march  and  in  rear  of  the  right  of  Bowen's  division.  Colonel  Cock- 
reil,  commanding  the  First  Missouri  brigade,  having,  in  person,  some 
time  previously  urgently  asked  for  reinforcements,  which  (none  of 
Loring's  troops  having  come  up)  I  was  then  unable  to  give  him.  One 
regiment  of  Baforl's  ftrigtide  was  detached  at  once  and  directed  to 
his  support ;  the  remainder  of  Buford's  brigade  was  moved  as  rapidly 
as  possible  to  the  a?sistance  of  General  Stevenson.  Finding  that  tho 
enemy's  vastly  8upi?rior  numbers  were  pressing  all  my  forces  ;Mig;iged 
eteadily  back  into  old  fields,  where  all  advantages  of  position  would  bn 
in  his  favor,  I  felt  it  to  be  too  late  to  save  the  day,  even  should 
Brigadier  General  Feaih.er3ton'3  brigade  of  General  Loring's  division 
come  ffp  immediately.  I  could,  hovrever,  learn  nothing  of  General 
Loring's  whereabouts  ;  several  of  my  staff"  officers  were  in  search  of 
him,  but  it  was  not  until  after  General  Bowen  had  porscnaliy  informed 
me  that  he  could  not  hold  his  position  longer,  and  not  until  after  I  had 
ordered  the  retreat  that  General  Loring,  Avith  Feaiherston's  brigade, 
moving,  as  I  subsequently  learned,  by  a  country  road  which  was  con- 
siderably longer  than  the  direct  route,  reached  the  position  on  the 
left  known  as  Cliompion's  llill,  where  he  was  forming  line  of  battle 
when  he  received  my  order  to  cover  the  retreat.  Had  the  movement 
in  support  of  the  left  been  promptly  made,  v/hen  first  ordered,  it  is  nol 
improbable  that  I  might  have  maintained  my  position,  and  it  is  pos- 
sible the  enemy  might  have  been  driven  back,  though  his  va>;lv 
superior  and  constantly  increasing  numbers  would  have  rendr-.ivl  a. 
necessarv  to  withdraw  during  the  night  to  save  my  communicui  rts 
wi'n  Vicksburg. 

Early  in  the  day.  Major  Lcckett,  Chief  Engineer,  had  been  in.-tructcd 
to  throw  a  bridge  oyer  Baker's  Creek,  on  the  llaymond  Roa'C  The 
stream  had  also  fallen  sufficiently  to  render  the  fonl  practicable.  The 
retreat  v/as  ordered  to  be  conducted  by  that  route,  and  a  staff  officer  iin- 


40 

tr.ediatel;^  dispatched  to  Brigadier  General  Tilghman,  who  was  directed 
to  hold  the  Raymond  Road  at  all  hazards.  It  was  in  the  execution  of 
this  important  duty,  which  could  not  have  be''n  confided  to  a  fitter 
t:;an,  that  the  lamented  General  bravely  lost  his  life.  He  was  struck 
I  7  a  fragment  of  shell,  and  died  almost  instantly.  Although,  as  before 
stated,  a  large  number  of  men  had  shamefully  abandoned  their  eom- 
nands  and  were  making  their  way  to  the  rear,  the  main  body  of  the 
t-cops  letired  in  good  order.  On  reaching  the  ford  and  bridge,  at 
Laker's  Creek,  I  directed  Brigadier  General  Bowea  to  take  position  with 
Kis  division  on  the  west  bank  and  to  hold  the  crossing  until  Loring's 
division,  which  was  directed  to  bring  up  the  rear,  had  effected  the 
passage.  I  then  proceeded  at  once  to  the  entrenched  line,  covering  the 
vagon  and  railroad  bridges  over  the  Big  Black,  to  make  the  necessary 
arrangements  for  holding  that  point  during  the  passage  of  the  river. 

In  his  official  report.  Major  General  Stevenson  says:  "On  my 
Rvrival,  about  sunset,  at  the  ford  on  Baker's  Creek,  I  found  that  the 
taemy  had  crossed  the  bridge  above,  and  were  advacing  artillery  in 
the  direction  of  the  road  on  which  we  were  moving.  One  battery  had 
already  taken  position  and  were  playing  on  the  load,  but  at  right 
RHgles  and  at  too  long  a  range  to  prevent  the  passage  of  troops. 
Here  I  found,  on  the  west  side,  the  brigades  of  General  Green  and 
Cockrell,  of  Bowen's  division,  who  had  there  halted  and  taken  up 
position  to  hold  the  point  until  liOring's  division  could  cross.  I 
fjund  Colonel  Scott,  of  the  twelfth  Louisiana  regiment,  of  Loring's 
division,  halted  about  half  a  mile  from  the  ford  on  the  east  side, 
j»>jd  directed  him  to  cross.  I  then  addressed  a  note  to  General 
Loring,  informing  him  of  what  I  had  done,  telling  him  of  the  change 
I  had  caused  Colonel  Scott  to  make  in  his  position,  stating  that  with 
the  troops  then  there  and  others  that  I  could  collect  I  would  hold  the 
ford  and  road  until  his  division  could  cross,  and  urging  him  to  hasten 
the  movement.  To  this  note  1  recei\ed  no  answer,  but  in  a  short 
t'rne  Colonel  Scott  moved  off  his  regiment  quickly  in  the  direction  of 
his  original  position,  in  obedience,  I  was  informed,  to  orders  from 
General  Loring.  Inferring  from  this  that  General  Loring  did  not 
intend  to  cross  at  that  ford,  he  having  had  ample  time  to  commence 
the  movement,  I  suggested  to  General  Green  and  Colonel  Cockrell  to 
move  forward  to  the  railroad  bridge.  My  command  reached  that 
I  oint  at  about  one  o'clock  that  night  and  bivouacked  near  Bovina." 

The  entire  train  of  the  army,  under  the  judicious  management  of 
Colonel  A.  W.  Reynolds,  commanding  Tennessee  brigade  of  Steven- 
toon's  division,  was  crossed  without  loss,  though  the  movements  of  the 
eriemy  compelled  Colonel  Reynold's  brigade  to  cross  the  Big  Black 
above  the  railroad  bridge. 

On  reaching  the  line  of  entrenchments  occupied  by  Brigadier 
General  Vaughan's  brigade  of  east  Tennesseeans,  (Smith's  division.) 
Ls  was  instructed  by  myself,  in  person,  to  man  the  trenches  from  the 
ra,ilroad  to  the  left,  his  artillery  to  remain  as  then  posted  and  all 
vagon§  to  cross  the  river  at  once.  Special  instructions  were  left  with 
Lieutenant  J.  H.  Morrison,  Aid-dc-Camp,  to  be  delivered  to  Generals 


it 

Loring,  Stevenson  and  Bowon.  as  they  should  arrive,  and  wpre  deliv- 
ered to  all  except  to  General  Loririg,  as  follows  : 

*'  General  Stevenson's  division  to  cross  the  river  and  procee<l  to  Mt. 
Albau  ;  General  Loiing's  to  cross  and  occu])y  the  west  bank  ;  Brigadier 
General  Bo^ven^s  division,  as  it  should  arrive,  was  directed  to  occupy 
the  trenches  to  the  right  and  left  of  Yauirhan's  on<l  his  artillery  to  ho 
parked,  that  it  might  bo  available  for  any  point  of  the  lines  most 
threatened." 

General  Stevenson's  division,  -rriving  very  late  in  the  j^i-^'ht,  did 
not  move  bevond  Bovina.  and  I  awaited  in  vain  intelligence  of  the 
approach  of  General  Loring-  It  war,  necessary  to  hold  the  position 
to  enable  him  to  cross  the  river,  should  the  enemy,  which  was  i  I'oba- 
ble,  follow  him  closely  up.  For  this  purpose  alone,  I  continued  the 
troops  in  position,  until  it  was  too  late  to  withdraw  them  under  cover 
of  night.  I  then  deternined  not  to  abandon  so  strong  a  front  whilst 
there  was  yet  a  hope  of  his  arrival  I  have  not,  up  to  this  tune, 
received  General  ijoring's  report  of  the  share  tiiken  by  his  division  in 
the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  nor  have  I  yet  been  informed  of  the 
reason  why  he  failed  to  rejoin  the  army  under  my  command. 

'Ihe  Big  Black  river,  where  it  is  crossed  by  the  railroad  bridge, 
makes  a  bend  somewhat  in  the  shape  of  a  horse  shoe.  Af^ro^s  this 
horse  shoe,  at  its  narrowest  part,  a  line  of  rifle  pits  had  been  con- 
structed, making  an  excellent  cover  for  iinantry,  and,  at  proper  inter- 
vals, dispositions  were  made  for  field  artillery.  The  line  of  pits  ran 
nearly  north  and  south  and  was  about^one  mile  in  length.  horth  of, 
and  for  a  considerable  distance  south  of  th  •  railroad,  and  of  a  dirt 
road  to  Edward's  depot,  nearly  parellel  with  it  extended  a  bayou, 
which,  in  itself,  opposed  a  serious  obstacle  to  an  assault  upon  the  pits. 
This  line  abutted  north  on  the  river  and  south  upoti  a  cy[)ree'=«  brake, 
which  spread  itself  nearly  to  the  bank  of  the  river.  In  addition  to 
the  railroad  bridge,  which  I  had  caused  to  be  floored  for  the  passage 
even  of  artillery  and  wagons,  the  steamer  Dot,  from  which  the 
rnachineiy  had  been  taken,  was  converted  into  a  bridge,  by  p];icing 
her  fore  and  aft  across  the  river.  Iktween  the  works  and  the  biidge, 
about  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  the  country  was  open,  bein^  either 
clear  or  cultivated  fields,  affording  no  cover  should  the  troops  be  driven 
from  the  trenches.  East  and  south  of  the  railroad  the  ti->pogra,phical 
features  of  the  country,  over  ^\hich  the  enemy  must  nfcessariiy  pass, 
wtre  r-imilar  to  those  above  described;  but  north  of  the  railrond,  and 
about  three  hundred  yards  in  front  of  the  rifle  pits,  a  cop-^e  of  wood 
extended  from  the  road  to  the  river.  One  line  was  manned  on  the 
right  by  the  gallant  CockrelTs  Missouri  brigade,  the  extrei^e  left  by 
Briga'iier  General  Green's  Missouri  and  Arkansas  men,  both  of  Bowen's 
division,  and  the  centre  by  lirigadicr  (ieneral  Vaughan's  brigade  of 
east  Tonnessecuns,  in  all,  about  four  thousand  (1,()<I0)  men.  as  many 
as  could  he  advantageously  employed  in  defen<ling  the  line,  with 
about  twenty  ^2M)  pieces  of  field  artillery.  So  strong  was  the  posi- 
tion, that  my  greatest,  almo.st  only,  apprehension  was  a  flank  move- 
ment tiy  I'ridgeport  or  Baldwin's  ferry,  which  would  have  endiingered 
my  coinmunications  with  Vicksburg.   Yet  this  position  was  abandoned 


42 

by  our  troops  almost  without  a  struggle,  and  with  the  loss  of  nearly 
all  our  artillery.  I  speak  not  now  of  the  propriety  or  of  the  neces- 
sity of  holding  this  position,  I  had,  as  heretofore  noticed,  my  object 
in  doing  so.  I  considered  that  object  sufficient,  and  I  also  deemed 
the  force  employed  for  the  purpose  ample. 

Bri^iadier  General  Vau";hau's  brifrade  had  not  been  en>Tra"ed  at 
Baker's  Creek,  his  men  were  fresh  and,  I  believed,  were  not  demoral- 
ized. I  knew  that  the  Missouri  troops,  under  their  gallant  leaders, 
could  be  depended  upon.  By  whoso  order  the  battery  horses  were  so 
far  removed  from  their  guns  as  not  to  be  available  I  do  not  know  ;  it 
certainly  was  not  by  mine.  General  Bowen,  with  whom  I  had  a  per- 
sonal interview  in  his  tent  on  the  night  of  the  16th  and  who  received 
his  instructions  from  my  own  lips,  (Lieutenant  Colonel  Montgomery, 
of  Lieutenant  General  E,  Kirby  Smith's  staff,  being  then  present  and 
acting  as  my  aid-de-carnp,)  I  do  not  believe  to  be  responsible  for  it ; 
be  was  too  old  and  too  good  a  soldier.  Enough,  however,  will,  I 
think,  be  developed  in  a  few  words  to  cover  the  whole  case.  Early 
on  the  morning  of  the  17th  the  enemy  opened  his  artillery  at  long 
range,  and  very  soon  pressed  forward  vritli  infantry  into  the  copse  of 
v;ood  north  of  the  railroad  ;  about  the  same  time  he  opened  on  Colonel 
CockrelTs  position  with  two  batteiics  and  advaiice;i  a  line  of  skir- 
mishers, throwing  forward  a  column  ^f  infantry,  which  was  quickly 
driven  back  by  our  batteftes.  Pretty  heavy  skirmishing  was  for 
awhile  kept  up  along  our  whole  line,  but  presently  the  enemy,  who 
had  massed  a  large  force  in  th^  vroods  immediately  north  of  the  rail- 
road, advanced  at  a  run,  with  loud  cheers.  Our  troops  in  their  front 
did  not  remain  to  receive  them,  but  broke  and  fled  precipitately.  One  ■ 
p3rtion  of  the  line  being  broken,  it  very  soon  became  a  matter  of 
f.auve  qui  pent.  I  shall  only  add,  with  reference  to  the  affair  of  Big 
Black,  tiiat  a  strong  position,  with  an  ample  force  of  infantry  and 
artillery  to  hold  it,  was  shamefully  abandoned,  almost  without 
resistiiice. 

The  troops  occupying  the  centre  did  not  do  tlicir  duty.  Vvith  an 
almost  impassable  bayou  between  themselves  and  the  enemy,  they  lied 
before  the  enemy  had  reached  that  obstacle. 

I  have  receiv^ed  no  report  from  Brigadier  General  Vaughan  of  the 
operations  of  his  brigade  on  this  occasion.  Colonel  Cockrell  says,  in 
his  official  report :  "  After  a  lively  skirmish-fire  had  been  kept  up  f  )r 
some  time  along  our  whole  front,  I  saw  the  line  between  the  railroad 
and  fir^it  skirt  of  timber  north  of  the  railroad  beginning  to  give  way 
and  Ihcn  running  in  disorder.  I  watched  this  disorderly  failing  back 
a  few  nrinutes,  when  I  saw  that  the  enemy  had  possession  of  the 
trenches  north  of  the  lailroad  and  were  rapidly  advancing  towards 
the  bridge,  our  only  crossing  and  way  of  escape  ;  the  enemy  now 
being  nearer  this  crossing  than  my  line,  I  therefore  ordered  the 
brigade  to  fall  back,  and,  moving  rapidly,  gained  the  bridge,  crossed 
over  an;!  re-formed  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river'  north  of  the 
railro'.id." 

Colonel  Gates,  commanding  second  brigade,  Bowen''s  division,  says 
in  his  official  report:  "  They  (the  enemy)   formed  their  men  on  the 


43 

river,  in  the  timber,  where  wc  couhi  not  see  them.  They  brought 
their  men  ont  by  the  right  flank,  in  column  of  four,  about  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  yards  in  front  of  my  regiment,  at  a  double  quick.  I 
then  openeil  a  most  terrific  fire  upon  them,  and  kept  it  up  until  the 
brigade  had  passed  out  of  my  sight  behind  a  grove  of  timber,  imme- 
diately upon  my  right.  They  moved  so  as  to  strike  the  trenches- 
occupied  by  General  Vaughan's  brigade,  so  I  am  informed.  I  do  not 
know  whoso  troops  were  there,  but  it  was  immediately  on  the  right  of 
Green's  brigade.  After  they  had  passed  me,  I  listened  for  our  men 
to  open  a  heavy  volley  on  my  right  and  drive  the  encm}'  back.  Upon 
not  hearing  any  firing  on  the  right,  I  directed  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Law  to  u\ouut  his  horse  ani  go  to  General  Green  and  know  whether 
the  centre  was  hoMing  their  position  or  not.  Colonel  Law  returned 
in  a  few  minutes  and  said  that  General  Green  ordered  me  to  fall  back. 
I  did  so  at  once.  After  I  had  got  back  below  the  bend  of  the  river, 
I  discovered  that  they  had  crossed  the  ditches  and  were  between  me 
and  the  lu-idge."  In  this  precipitate  retreat  but  little  order  was 
observfi],  the  object  with  all  being  to  reach  the  bridge  as  rapidly  as 
possible;.  Many  were  unable  to  do  so,  but  effected  their  escape  by 
swimiuing  the  river  ;  some  were  drowned  in  the  attempt.  A  consid- 
erable number,  unable  to  swim,  anJ*  others  too  timid  to  expose 
themselves  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy  by  an  effort  to  escape,  remained 
in  the  trenches  and  were  made  prisoners.  In  this  connection  I  deem 
it  my  duty  to  make  the  following  extract  from  the  report  of  Colonel 
Cockrell :  "Captain  I.  B.  Wilson,  of  the  second  infantry,  company 
G,  claiming  to  have  been  exhausted,  did  not  go  with  his  company  into 
the  battle  of  '  Baker's  Creek,'  and,  having  made  his  way  to  Big 
I'lack.  joined  his  company  in  the  rilie-pits  onrly  on  the  morning  of 
the  17th  instant,  and  when  his  company  was  ordered  to  fall  back, 
abandoned  his  company  and  remained  lying  in  the  rifle  pits,  and  was 
captu'-ed  by  the  enemy;  and,  whilst  a  prisoner,  stated  to  Colonel 
Elijah  Gates,  of  the  First  Missouri  cavalry,  who  was  also  a  prisoner, 
that  he  (Captain  Wilson)  intended  to  take  the  oaih  and  then  go  to 
fighting  the  enemy  as  a  guerrilla.  kSucli  conduct  merits  a  dismissal 
iu  disgrace,  and  such  an  oflicer  should  not  remain  in  tlie  way  of  gal- 
lant and  efficient  officers  now  commanding  his  company."  In  this 
opinion  1  fully  concur.  Neither  Brigadier  (irencrals  Bowcn  nor 
Green  had  furoislied  reports  of  the  action  on  Big  Black  previous  to 
their  death.  To  the  former  had  been  entrusted  the  defence  of  the 
Mc  dc  punt,  and  he  had  received  my  instructions  in  person  ;  the  latter 
had  been  second  iu  command.  Brigadier  General  Vaughan  having 
failed  to  render  his  report,  I  am  dependent  fir  the  particulars  of  the 
action  upon  those  of  Colonels  Gates  and  Cockrell,  which  arc  respect- 
fully forwarded  herewith.  Major  Lockott,  Chief  Engineer,  was 
instructed  to  fire  both  bridges,  after  seeing  that  all  the  troops  had 
crossed;  this  was  effectually  accomplished,  under  his  personal  super- 
vision. The  guns  in  position  were  ample  for  the  defence,  but,  the 
infantry  failing  to  support  them,  they  v.ere  abandoned;  such  as  were 
not  in  jtosition  were  safely  brought  from  the  field,  placed  in  battery 
on  the  hlufi'  on  the  west  bank,  and,  with  others  already  establiii^ed, 


44 

and  a  sufficient  force  of  infantry,  held  the  advancing-colurana  of  the 
enemy  effectually  in  check.  It  had  become  painfully  apparent  to  me 
that  the  monde  of  my  army  was  not  such  as  to  justify  ap  attempt  to 
hold  the  line  of  the  Big  Black  river.  Not  only  v^as  it  gi'ca^Jy 
weakened  by  the  absence  of  General  Loring's  division,  but  also  by 
the  large  number  of  stragglers  who,  having  abandoned  their  com- 
mands, were  already  making  their  way  into  Vicksburg.  The  enemy, 
by  flank  movement  on  my  left  by  Bridgeport,  and  on  my  right  by 
Baldwin's  or  other  ferries,  might  reach  Vicksburg  almost  simultane- 
ously with  myself,  or  perhaps  interpose  a  heavy  force  between  me  and 
that  city. 

Under  these  circumstances,  nothing  remained  but  to  retire  the  army 
within  the  defences  of  Vicksburg,  and  to  endeavor,  as  speedily  as  pos:«i- 
ble,  to  reorganize  the  depressed  anddiscorafitted  troops.  Order:^  ware 
accordingly  issued,  at  ten  A.  M.,  and  Major  General  Stevenson  di- 
rected to  conduct  the  retreat,  which  was  executed  without  haste  and 
in  good  order.  I  myself  proceeded  at  once  to  Vicksburg  to  prepare 
for  its  defence. 

I  think  it  due  to  myself,  in  bringing  this  portion  of  my  report  to  a 
conclusion,  to  state  emphatically  that  the  advance  movement  of 
the  army  from  Edward's  dep^t,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  loth  of  May, 
was  made  against  my  judgment,  in  opposition  to  my  previously  ex- 
pressed intentions,  and  to  the  subversion  of  my  matured  plans.  In  one 
contingency  alone  I  had  determined  to  move  towards  Jack?on.  The 
safety  of  Vicksburg  was  of  paramount  importance  ;  under  no  circum- 
stances could  I  abandon  my  communication  with  it  A  sufficient  fore  j 
must  also  be  left  to  defend  the  river  front  of  the  city,  the  approaches  by 
Chickasaw  Bayou,  by  Snyder's  Mills  and  Warrenton,  against  a  coup  de 
main.  My  effective  aggregate  did  not  exceed  twenty-eight  thousand  ; 
at  least  eight  thousand  would  be  required  for  these  purposes.  It 
would  also  bo  neces8a»ry  to  hold  the  bridges  across  the  Big  Black,  on 
the  line  of  the  southern  railroad.  With  these  deductions,  my  moveable 
army  might  reach  eighteen  thousand  five  hundred.  I  give  this  num- 
ber as  the  maximum. 

In  the  event,  therefore,  of  the  enemy  advancing  with  his  whole  force, 
east  of  the  Mississippi  river,  against  Jackson,  ray  communications 
by  the  shortest  line  being  open,  would  have  enable  me  to  move  upon  his 
rear.  Gen.  Johnston's  forces  and  my  own  might  have  formed  a  junc- 
tion, or  have  attacked  simultaneously  in  front  and  rear;  but  I  did  not 
think  it  would  be  wise  to  attempt  to  execute  this  plan,  until  the  arri-' 
val  of  expected  reinforcements  at  or  near  Jackson,  hence  I  received 
General  Johnson's  instructions,  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  to  move 
to  Clinton  with  all  the  force  I  couldquickly  collect,  with  great  regret, 
and  I  well  remember  that,  in  the  presence  of  one  or  more  of  ray  staff 
officers,  I  remarked,  in  substance,  "  such  a  movement  will  be  suicidal." 
Nevertheless,  notifying  G^eral  Johnston  of  the  fact,  I  took  measures 
for  an  advance  movement  at  once,  not,  it  is  true,  directly  towards 
Clinton,  but  in  the  only  direction  which,  from  my  knowledge  of  the 
circumstances  surrounding  me,  I  thought  offered  a  possibility  of  suc- 
cess.    Had  I  moved  directly  to  Clinton,  the  enemy    would  not  have 


45 

givtn  rae  battle  in  front,  but  would  have  interpoaed  a  force  greater 
than  my  own  between  me  and  Yicksburg. 

It  is  only  necessary  to  refer  to  the  maps  accompanying  this  report 
to  see  how  feasible  was  such  a  movement.  1  have  already  given  m 
the  body  of  this  report  the  two  letters  of  instructions  from  General 
Johnston,  dated  respectively  13th  and  1 5th  May,  lbG3.  In  obedience 
to  t!;c  injunctions  contained  in  the  former,  which  was  received  on  the 
morning  of  the  Nth,  I  lost  no  time  in  putting  my  army  in  motion  in 
the  direction  already  stated,  and  for  the  fL^asons  given. 

About  seven  A.  M.,  on  the  IGth,  I  received  the  letter  which  reite- 
rated the  previous  instructions.  I  had,  in  no  measure,  changed  my 
views  :i3  to  the  propriety  oF  the  movement  therein  indicated,  but  I  no 
lon^'!-r  felt  at  liberty  to  deviate  from  General' .Johnston's  positive 
ordered  lie  had  been  made  aware  of  my  views,  and  did  not  sustain 
tht  m.  The  order  of  march  was  at  ouce  reversed,  but  the  army  was 
ha.dly  in  motion  before  it  became  necessary  to  form  line  of  battle  to 
meet  the  greatly  superior  force,>^  of  the  enemy'. 

Ahont  six.  P.  M.,  on  the  16th,  whilst  on  the  retreat,  the  following 
communication  was  handed  to  mc  : 

"  Camp  Seven  Milrs  from  Jackson,  ^ 
"71%   !4th,-  1863.  S 

"  Gk'-jkkai.  :  The  body  of  troops,  mentioned  in  my  note  of  last  night, 
compelled  Brigadier  General  Gregg  and  his  command  to,  evacuate 
Jackscn  about  noon  to-<lay,  the  necessity  of  taking  the  Canton  road, 
at  right  angles  to  that  upon  which  the  enemy  approaches,  prevented  an 
obsrin  ite  defence.  A  body  of  troops,  reported  this  morning  to  have 
reiuhod  Raymond  last  night,  advanced  at  the  same  time  from  th^t  di- 
rection. 

''  Prisoners  say  that  it  was  McPhcrson's  corps,  (four  divisions)  which 
marched  from  'Jlinton.  I  have  certain  information  of  the  other; 
both  r^kirmi^hcd  very  cautiously.  Telegrams  were  dispatched,  when 
the  eiu!n\  was  near,  directing  General  Gist  to  assemble  the  approach- 
ing troops  at  a  point  for^y  or  fifty  miles  from  Jackson,  and  (General 
M4xc<»y  to  return  to  his  wagons,  and  provide  for  the  security  of  his 
brigade  •  for  instance,  by  joining  General  Gist.  That  body  of  troops 
w  11  be  able,  I  hope,  to  prevent  the  enemy  in  Jackson  from  drawing 
j)rovi.sion  from  the  eaut,  and  this  one  may  be  able  to  keep  hiin  from 
the  country  towards  Panola.  Can  he  supply  himself  from  the  Missis- 
sippi \  Can  you  not  cat  him  off  from  it?  And,  above  all,  should  he 
be  compelled  to  fall  back  for  want  of  supplies,  beat  him  ?  As  jsoou 
as  the  reinfcrcora  cnta  arc  all  up,  they  must  be  united  to  the  rest 
of  the  army.  I  am  anxious  to  see  a  force  assembled  that  they  be  able 
to  inflict  a  heavy  blow  upon  the  enemy. 

*♦  Would  it  not  be  better  to  place  the  forces  to  support  Vickeburg  be- 
twc'^  (ioneral  Loring  and  that  pluce,  and  merely  obeerve  the  ferries, 
B  > 'ht  you  might  unite,  if  opportunity  to  fight  presented  itself?  Gen. 
Gi  egg  wjir  move  towards  Canton  tomorrow.  If  prisoners  tell  the 
tru:H.  Ill-  force  at  Jackson  must  be  half  of  Grant's  army.  It  would 
decide  the  campaign  to  boat  it,  which  can  only  be  done  by  concentrat- 


46 

iiig,  especially  when  the  remainder  of  the  eastern  troops  arrive.   Tlicy 
are  to  be  twelve  thousand  or  thirteen  thousand. 
*'  Most  respectfully, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

'<  J.    E.    JOMKSTON.'' 

It  will  be  observed  that  General  Johnston's  letter  of  the  15th, 
^hich  caused  me  to  reverse  my  column,  with  the  view  of  marching  to 
Clinton  was  received  before  the  retreat  commenced,  and  about  eleven 
hours  earlier  than  this  one  of  the   14th,  juf^t  presented. 

1  know  nothing  of  the  causes  which  produced  thi-5  result,  but  I  rc- 
Bpectfully  invite  attention  to  the  fact  that,  in  this  letter  of  the  Hth, 
General  Johnston  suggests  the  very  movement  which  I  had  made,  and 
for  the  purpose  I  had  indicated.  After  expressing  thehopri  that  certain 
dispositions  made  by  hiiGFclf,  might  prevent  the  enemy  from  drawing 
provisions  from  the  east,  or  from  the  country  to\Vards  Panola,  he  says  : 
"  Can  he  supply  himself  from  the  .\Ji3sissippi.  Can  you  not  cut  him  orf 
from  it,  lUid,  above  all,  should  he  be  compelled  to  fall  back  for  want  of 
supplies,  beat  him." 

1  have  introduced  General  Johnston's  letter  entire,  that  the  con- 
text, as  well  as  that  portion  to  which  I  have  particularly  called  at^ 
tention,  may  be  considered. 

^I  ha  I  resisted  the  popular  clamor  for  an  advance,  which  begiin  from 
the  moment  the  enemy  set  his  polluting  foot  upon  the  eastern  bank  of 
the  Mi  sissippi  river.  I  had  resisted  the  universal  sentiment,  I  be- 
lieve, of  the  army,  I  know  of  my  general  officers'  in  its  favor,  and 
yielded  only  to  the  orders  of  my  superiors.  I  was  not  invited  by 
General  Johnston  to  submit  my  plans  to  him  for  his  consideration,  iC 
is,  therefore,  unnecessary  now  to  speak  of  them. 

0-ne  of  the  immediate  results  of  the  retreat  from  Big  Black  was  the 
necessity  of  abandoning  our  defences  on  the  Yazoo,  at  Snyder's  Mill's  j . 
that  position,  and  the  line  of  Chickasaw  Bayou,  ^Vere  no  longer  tena- 
ble. All  stores  that  could  be  transported  were  ordered  to  be  sc^'.t  into 
Vicksburg  as  rapidly  as  possible,  the  rest,  including  heavy  guns,  to 
be  destroyed. 

There  was,  at  this  time,  a  large  quantity  of  corn,  probably  25,006 
or  30,000  bushels,  on  boats,  much  of  which  might  have  been  brought 
in  had  it  been  possible  to  furnish  the  necessary  wagons.  The  boata 
were  sent  up  the  river.  Two  companies  were  uirected  to  remain  at 
Snyder's  Mills,  making  a  show  of  force  until  the  approach  of  the 
enemy  by  l.ind  should  compel  them  to  retire.  To  them  was  entrusted 
the  duty  of  forwarding  all  stores  possible,  and  of  destroying  the  re- 
mainder. This  detachment  rejoined  its  command  in  Vicksburg  on, " 
the  morning  of  the  18th.  Every  precaution  was  taken  to  guard  the. 
important  approaches  to  the  city  by  Forney's  and  Smith's  divisions, 
while  the  troops  which  had  been  engaged  in  the  battles  of  the  I  6th 
and  17th,  were  bivouacked  in  the  rear  of  the  entrenchments.  During 
these  battles,  the  troops  of  Major  .General  Forney's  division  were  dis- 
posed asfollovfs:  Brigadier  General  Ilebert's  brigade  occupied  the 
line  along  the  Yazoo  river,  from  Haines's  Bluff  to  the  Mississippi, 
including  the  approaches  by  Chickasaw  Bayou  ;  Brigadier  General; 


47 

Moore's  brigade,  with  the  Mississippi  State  troops,  under  General 
Harris,  attached,  (about  600,)  guarded  the  front  at  AVarrenton.  and 
the  approaches  from  the  lower  ferries  on  Big  Black  river  ;  Brigadier 
General  Shoupe's  brigade  of  Major  General  Smith's  division  guarded 
the  river  front  of  the  city.  Brigadier  General  Baldwin's  brigade, 
with  WauPs  legion  attached,  guarded  the  approaches  to  the  city  from 
the  Hall's  ferry  road  around  to  the  railroad  bridge  on  the  Big  Black  ; 
the  heavy  artillery  at  the  batteries  on  the  river  front,  under  Colonel 
Higgins.  Brigadier  General  Mooi'e's  brigade  was  drawn  in  at  cnce 
from  Warrenton,  and  placed  in  the  entrenchments  on  either  side  of 
Baldwin's  ferry  road.  Brigadier  General  Hebcrt's  brigade  arrived 
before  daylight  on  the  I8th,  bringiiig  vrith  it  all  the  light  pieces,  and, 
in  addition,  two  (2)  twenty-pound  Parrotts  and  a  Whitworth  gun. 
This  brigade  iitrmcdiately  occupied  the  entrenchments  on  both  eides  of 
the  Jackson  road. 

On  the  morning  of  the  18th,  the  troops  were  disposed  from  right  to 
left  as  follows  :  Maj.  Gen.  Stevenson's  division  of  five  brigades  oc-upicd 
the  line  from  the  Warrenton  road,  including  a  portion  of  the  river  front, 
to  the  railroad,  a  distance  of  about  five  miles  ;  Major  General  Forney, 
with  two  brigades,  the  line  between  the  railroad  and  the  grave -yard 
road,  about  two  miles  ;  and  Major  General  Smith,  with  three  brigades, 
the  Mississippi  State  troops,  and  a  small  detachment  from  Loring  s 
division,  the  line  from  the  grave-yard  road  to  the  river  front,  on  the 
north,  about  one  ami  a  quarter  miles.  Brigadier  General  Bowen's 
division  was  held  in  reserve  to  strengthen  any  portion  of  the  line 
most  threatened,  and  Waul's  Texas  legion  (about  o'lO)  was  in  reserve 
especially  to  support  the  right  of  Moore's,  or  the  left  of  Lee's  bri- 
gadef*.  On  the  entire  line,  one  hundred  and  two  pieces  of  artillery, 
of  different  calibre,  principally  field,  were  placed  in  position  at  such 
points  as  were  deemed  most  suitable  to  the  character  of  the  gun — 
changes  of  location  being  made  when  occasion  called  for  it.  Au  en- 
gineer officer,  under  the  supervision  of  Major  Lockett,  chief  engineer 
of  the  department,  was  assigned  to  each  division,  with  an  assistant  to 
each  brigade  commander.  Daily  reports  were  made,  throui^h  the 
proper  channel,  to  Major  Lockett,  of  the  operations  of  the  engineer 
department,  and  of  the  progress  of  the  enemy's  works.  Major  Lock- 
ett thus  kept  me  constantly  informed  of  all  important  clianges,  mak- 
ing himself  a  daily  report. 

Instructions  had  been  given  from  Bovina,  that  all  cattle,  sheep  and 
hogs,  belonging  to  private  parties,  and  likely  to  fi.ill  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy,  should  be  driven  within  our  lines.  A  large  amount  of 
fresh  meat  was  secured  in  this  way.  The  same  instructions  were  givert 
in  regard  to  corn,  and  all  disposable  wagons  applied  to  this  end.  On 
the  18th,  Colonel  Wirt  Adams,  who  had  been  previously  directed  to 
cross  to  the  west  bank  of  the  Big  Black,  with  all  his  cavalry,  was 
notified  that  Snyder's  Mills  wouM  be  abandoned,  and  that  he  was  ex- 
pected  to  operate  on  the  flank  and  rear  of  the  enemy,  with  the  view 
of  cutting  off  his  supplies  in  that  direction.  Colonel  Adams'  force 
was,  however,  very  inadequate  to  this  purpose.  During  the  ni^ht  of 
the  17th,  nothing  of  importance  occurred.     Most  of  the  artillery  wa 


48 

speedily  riacei  in  position  on  the  line?,  and  immediately  maasares 
were  takt^u  to  arm  all  lam  whi  ha  I  either  unavoidably  lost,  or  who 
had  throrn  away  their  arms  on  the  retreat.  General  Johnston  was 
notified,  on  the  1 7th,  of  the  resul'.  of  the  battles  of  Baker's  Creek 
and  Big  Clack,  and  informed  that  I  had,  in  consequence,  been  com- 
pelled to  evacuate  Snyder's  Mills.  About  noon  of  the  18th  May, 
whilst  engaged  in  an  inspection  of  the  entrenchments,  with  jMiijor 
Jjockett,  my  chief  engineer,  and  several  of  my  General  officers,  the 
enemy  was  reported  to  be  advancing  by  the  Jacks  )n  road,  Just  at 
this  moment,  the  following  communication  was  received  by  courier  : 

*'  Camp  between  Livingston  and  Browinsvflle,  ) 

"May  17,  1863.       i 

*'  Lieutenant  General  rEMBEiiTON  : 

<•  Your  dispatch  of  to-day,  by  Captain  Henderson,  was  received. 
If  Haines's  Bluff  is  untenable,  Vicksburg  is  cf  no  value,  and  cannot 
be  hold.  If,  therefore,  you  are  invested  in  Vicksburg,  you  must  ulti- 
mately surrender.  Under  such  circumstances,  instead  of  losing  both 
troopi  aitd  place,  we  must,  if  possible,  save  the  troops.  If  it  is  not 
too  late,  evacuate  Vicksburg  and  its  dependencies,  and  march  to  th«f 
north- cast. 

*'  Most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

*'  J.   E.  Johnston,    Generdy 

The  evacuat'on  of  Vicksburg  !  It  meant  the  loss  of  the  valuable 
stores  aP'i  munitions  of  war  collected  for  its  defence,  the  fall  of  Port 
Hudson,  the  surrender  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  the  severance  of 
the  Confi^dcracy.  These  were  m  ghty  interests,  which,  had  I  deemed 
the  eviiouation  practicable,  in  the  sense  in  which  I  interpreted  General 
Joiinston  s  instructions,  might  well  have  made  me  hesitate  to  execute 
them.  1  believed  it  to  be  in  .ny  power  to  hold  Vicksburg.  I  knew  I 
appreciated  the  earnest  desire  of  the  Government  and  the  people  that 
it  should  be  held.  I  knew,  perhaps  better  than  any  other  individual, 
under  all  the  circumstances,  its  capacity  for  d^-fence.  As  long  ngo  as 
the  17th  of  February  last,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  his  excellency,  the 
President,  I  had  suggested  the  possibility  of  the  investment  of  Vicks- 
burg by  land  and  water,  and  fur  that  reason  the  necessity  of  ample 
supplies  of  ammunition,  as  veil  as  of  subsistence,  to  stand  a  siege. 
My  application  met  his  favorable  consideration,  and  additional  ammu- 
nition was  ordered. 

With  proper  economy  of  subsistence  and  ordnance  stores,  I  knew 
that  I  co'il  I  stand  a  siege  I  ha  I  a  firm  reliance  in  the  desire  of  the 
Pscsident  and  of  General  Johnston,  to  do  all  that  could  be  dene  to 
raise  a  si"ge.  I  felt  that  every  effort  would  be  made,  and  I  believed 
it  would  be  snccessful.  With  these  convictions  on  my  own  mind,  I  im- 
diately  summoned  a  council  of  war,  composed  of  all  my  General  offi- 
cers. I  laid  before  them  G-meral  Johnston's  communication,  brt  de- 
sire;! them  to  confine  the  expression  of  their  opinions  to  the  que;itii)n 
of  practicability.  Having  obt:iined  their  views,  the  following  coin- 
municatioa  was  addressed  to  General  Johnston  : 


49 

*•  Headquarters  Dep't  Mississippi  and  East  Lol-isiana,  ) 

"  Vicksburg,  May  18,  1863.      I 
**  General  Jos.  E.  Johnston  : 

'*  General  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
communication,  in  reply  to  mine,  by  the  hands  of  Captain  Henderson. 
In  a  subsequent  letter,  of  same  date  as  this  latter,  I  informed  you  that 
the  men  had  failed  to  hold  the  trenches  at  Big  Black  bridge,  and  that, 
as  a  consequence,  Snyder's  Mill  was  directed  to  be  abandoned.  On 
the  receipt  of  your  communication,  1  immediately  assembled  a  coun- 
cil of  war  of  the  General  officers  of  this  command,  and  having  laid 
your  instructions  before  them,  asked  the  free  expression  of  their 
opinion  as  to  the  practicability  of  carrying  them  out.  The  opinion 
was  unanimously  expressed,  that  it  was  impossible  to  withdraw  the 
army  from  this  position  with  such  morale  and  materiel  as  to  be  of 
further  service  to  the  Confederacy.  While  the  council  of  war  was 
assembled,  the  guns  of  the  enemy  opened  on  the  works,  and  it  was  at 
the  same  time  reported  that  they  were  crossing  the  Yazoo  river  at 
Brandon's  ferry,  above  Snyder's  Mills.  I  havedecided  to  hold  Vicks- 
burg  as  long  as  possible,  with  the  firm  hope  that  the  Government  may 
yet  be  able  to  assist  me  in  keeping  this  obstruction  to  the  enem\'  s 
free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  river.  I  still  conceive  it  to  be  the 
moat  important  point  in  the  Confederacy. 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

*'  J.  C.  Pembf.rton, 
'■  Lieutenanf  General,  commanding."' 

The  development  of  the  entrenched  line,  from  the  extreme  right  of 
Major  General  Stevenson's  position  to  the  left  of  Major  Gc-neral 
Smith's,  \<"as  about  eight  miles — the  shortest  defensible  line  of  which 
the  topography  of  the  country  admitted.  The  plan  was  submitted  to 
me  immediately  aft-T  I  assumed  command  of  the  department  of  Mis- 
sissippi and  East  Louisiana,  in  the  latter  part  of  October,  I8G2  ;  was 
approved,  and  ordered  to  be  carried  out  with  the  utmost  dispatch. 
Similar  instructions  were,  about  the  sarr.e  time,  given  for  fortifying  the 
strong  position  at  Snyder's  Mills,  and  the  land  defonoes  of  l*ort  Hud- 
son were  also  ordered  to  be  commenced  at  once.  The  line  of  defence 
around  the  city  of  Vicksburg  consisted  (as  is  shown  in  the  map  ac- 
companying the  report  of  Mtijor  Lockott,  chief  engineer.)  of  a  system 
of  detached  works  (redans,  lunettes,  and  redoubts.)  on  the  prominent 
and  commanding  points,  with  the  upu;i1  profile  of  raised  field  works, 
connected,  in  most  cases,  by  rifle-pits.  To  man  the  entire  line,  I  was 
able  to  bring  into  the  trenches  about  eighteen  thousand  five  hundred 
muskets  ;  but  it  was  absolutely  necessary  to  ke-^p  a  reserve  always 
really  to  reinforce  any  point  heavily  threatened.  It  became  indis- 
pensable, therefore,  to  roduce  the  number  in  the  trenches  to  the  mini- 
mum capable  of  holding  them  until  a  reserve  could  come  to  theiraid. 
It  was  also  ni'(c.-;-:iry  that  the  reserve  should  be  composed  of  tro<Jps 
among  the  best  and  most  reliable.  Accordingly,  Bowcn's  division, 
(about  twentv-four  hundred.)  and  Waul's  Texas  Ifgion,  (about  five 
hundred,)  were  designated  for  that  purpose,  thus  rctlucing  the  force 
in  the  trenches  to  little  over  fifteen  thousand  five  hundred  men.  The 
4 


50 

legion  was,  on  the  18th,  assigned  as  a  reserve  to  Forney's  division, 
:md  was  hehl  in  rear  of  Brigadier  General  Moore's  right,  but  on  the 
evenin<T  of  the  19th  was  transferred  to  Stevenson's  division,  and 
during  the  remainder  of  the  siege  was  hehl  in  rear  of  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Lee's  brigade,  occupying  one  of  the  most  exposed  and  important 
positions  on  the  whole  line.  On  the  night  of  the  17th,  and  during 
the  18th,  Major  General  Smith,  misapprehending  my  instructions 
f^iven  him  immediately  after  my  return  from  the  Big  Black,  had  occu- 
pied an  outer  line  of  defence,  on  the  range  of  hills  north  of  the  Fort 
Hill  road.  This  line  had  undoubtedly  some  advantages ;  it  was  within 
six  hundred  yards  of  the  inner  line,  and  partially  commanded  one  of 
our  most  important  river  batteries.  I  considered,  however,  that  the 
increased  length  which  would  necessarily  be  given  to  the  whole  line 
of  defence — the  intervening  valley,  and  other  objections  to  its  occu- 
pation— more  than  counterbalanced  the  advantages.  The  troops  and 
artillery  were,  therefore,  on  the  night  of  the  18th,  silently  and  safely 
withdrawn,  and  General  Smith's  division  occupied  the  inner  line  dur- 
ini:^  the  remainder  of  the  siege.  The  enemy,  however,  had  made, 
(luring  the  day,  a  demonstration  with  artillery  and  infantry  on  his  po- 
sition, and  early  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  he  occupied  the  aban- 
doned heights.  During  the  day,  there  was  constant  and  heavy  skir- 
mishing along  the  left  of  our  centre,  on  the  grave-yard  road,  accom- 
jianied  with  brisk  artillery  fire.  In  tlie  afternoon  the  enemy  made  a 
charge  on  Smith's  right  and  Forney's  left,  but  was  severely  repulsed, 
losing  two  stands  of  colors.  Later,  their  sharpshooters  and  artillery 
opened  heavily  on  the  Jackson  and  Baldwin  ferry  road,  A  courier 
was  despatched  with  the  following  telegram  to  the  President : 

•' We  are  occupying  the  trenches  around  Vicksburg.  The  enemy 
is  investing  it,  and  will  probably  attempt  an  assault.  Our  men  have 
considerably  recovered  their  morale,  but  unless  a  large  force  is  sent  at 
once  to  relieve  it,  Vicksburg,  before  long,  must  fall,  I  have  used 
every  effort  to  prevent  all  this,  but  in  vain." 

'2.i)th. — The  enemy  continued  to  move  from  our  right,  with  heavy 
cannonading,  towards  the  centre  and  left ;  three  guns  temporarily  dis- 
abled. At  noon,  the  mortar  fleet  of  Admiral  Porter  took  position  on 
the  west  side  of  the  peninsula,  and  commenced  the  bombardment  of 
the  city.  The  following  dispatch  was  forwarded  by  courier  to  General 
Johnston  : 

"  The  enemy  assaulted  our  entrenched  lines  yesterday,  at  two 
points — centre  and  left — and  was  repulsed  with  heavy  loss.  Our  loss 
small.  1  cannot  estimate  the  enemy's  force  now  engaged  around  Vicks- 
burg at  less  than  sixty  thousand  ;  it  is  probably  more.  At  this  hour, 
eight  and  a  half  o'clock,  A.  M.,  he  is  briskly  cannonading  with  long 
range  guns.  That  we  may  save  ammunition,  his  fire  is  rarely  returned. 
At  present  our  main  necessity  is  musket  caps.  Can  you  send  them 
to  me  by  hands  of  couriers  or  citizens  ?  An  army  will  be  necessary 
to  relieve  Vicksburg,  and  that  quickly.  Will  it  not  be  sent  ?  Please 
let  me  hear  from  you,  if  possible, 

^Xst. — The  fire  from  the  mortar  fleet  continued  without  intermis- 
sion, accompanied  by  heavy  musketry  and  artillery  fire  from  the  rear. 


51 

to  which  but  Blight  response  was  given.  Several  guns  were  dis- 
mounted, and  a  number  of  oflScers  and  men  killed  and  wounded.  In 
the  afternoon,  the  enemy's  gunboats  steamed  up,  and  threw  a  large 
number  of  shells  into  the  city,  but  without  material  damage.  An- 
ticipating an  attack  on  the  right,  Creneral  Bowen  was  ordered  to  hold 
his  command  in  readiness  to  assist  the  threatened  point;  and  that  the 
safety  of  the  magazines  might  be  secured  from  the  possible  danger  of 
disloyal  persons  within  the  lines,  Gen.  Stevenson  was  ordered  to  organ- 
ize a  guard  for  their  protection  from  among  the  most  reputable  of  the 
citizens,  and  to  place  the  guard  under  the  command  of  a  commissioned 
officer.  The  prospect  of  a  protracted  siege,  and  the  uncertainty  as 
to  how  many  assaults  we  might  have  to  repel,  and  in  view  of  the 
possibility  of  having  to  march  out  from  our  entrenchments  to  meet  and 
co-opeiate  with  an  assisting  army,  expected  under  General  Johnston, 
rendered  it  a  matter  of  vital  importance  that  every  charge  of  ammu- 
nition on  hand  should  be  hoarded  with  the  most  jealous  care.  The 
amount  of  ammunition  in  Vicksburg,  though  large,  would  not  have 
sufficed  for  an  unlimited  daily  expenditure  for  a  protracted  period. 
The  importance  of  the  most  rigid  economy,  therefore,  in  its  use,  was 
apparent,  and  strict  orders  were  consequently  issued  against  all  picket 
skirmishing  and  artillery  duels,  where  neither  served  any  useful  pur- 
pose. These  orders  were  repeated  as  occasion  required.  It  being 
impracticable  to  continue  feeding  the  large  number  of  mules  and 
horses  then  in  Vicksburg,  General  Stevenson  was  directed  to  have 
them  driven  beyond  the  lines  for  pasturage,  or,  if  practicable,  to  sendi 
them,  in  charge  of  a  detail,  to  General  Jqhnston.  By  this  means,  we 
were  relieved  of  a  serious  encumbrance,  which  would  else  have  drawn, 
heavily  upon  our  limited  supplies  of  forage.  Another  courier  was 
to-day  sent  to  General  Johnston  wi:h  the  following  dispatches  : 

'*  During  the  past  two  days  the  enemy  has  passed  up  the  river  in 
transports,  in  large  force,  for  a  point  not  yet  discovered. 

"  The  enemy  has  continued  a  spirited  firing  all  day  ;  also,  his  shell- 
ing from  mortar  boats.  Our  men  have  replied  rarely.  Two  large 
transports  came  down  loaded  wich  troops.  They  are  evidently  rein- 
forcing their  present  large  force.  Am  I  to  expect  reinforcements — 
from  what  direction,  and  how  soon  ?  Have  you  heard  anything  from, 
General  Loring  ?     Can  you  send  me  musket  caps  by  courier  ?" 

*'  The  enemy  kept  up  incessant  sharpshooting  all  yesterday,  on  the 
loft  and  centre,  and  picked  off  our  officers  and  men  whenever  they 
hhowcd  themselves.  Their  artillery  fire  was  very  heavy,  ploughed  up 
our  works  considerably,  and  dismounted  two  guns  on  the  centre.  The 
works  were  repaired  and  the  guns  replaced  last  night.  The  great 
question  is  ammunition.  The  men  credit  and  are  encouraged  by  a 
report  that  you  are  near  with  a  large  force.  They  aro  fighting  iii 
good  spirits,  and  the  reorganization  is  complete. 

*'  P.  S. — Brisk  musketry  and  artillery  fire  to-day,  on  centre.  Three 
guns  there  dismounted;  will  be  replaced  as  far  as  possible.  Officer:^ 
FufTer  most  from  their  sharpshooters.  Incessant  mortar  firing  from 
the  river,  and  last  night  three  of  their  gunboats  engaged  the  lower 
batteries." 


52 

2271C?. — The  fire  from  the  enemy's  artillery  and  sharpphooters  in 
the  rear  was  heavy  and  incessant  until  noon,  when  his  gunboats 
opened  upon  the  city,  while  a  determined  assault  was  made  along 
Moore's,  Hebert's  and  Lee'S  lines.  I  cannot  better  describe  this 
assault  than  by  the  following  extracts  from  the  official  reports  of  my 
several  division  commanders.  General  Stevenson  says  in  his  report: 
'*  On  the  morning  of  the  22nd  of  May,  many  indications  showed  that 
they  (the  enemy)  contemplated  an  assault  upon  the  line  of  General 
-Lee.  A  tremendous  artillery  fire  was  opened  and  kept  up  for  about 
two  hours,  while  the  fire  of  their  large  force  of  sharpshooters  was 
heavy  and  incessant.  At  about  one  o'clock,  P.  M  ,  a  heavy  force 
moved  out  to  the  assault,  making  a  gallant  charge.  They  were 
allowed  to  approach  unmolested  to  within  good  musket  range,  M'hen 
every  available  gun  was  opened  upon  them  with  grape  and  canister, 
and  the  men,  rising  in  the  trenches,  poured  into  their  ranks  volley 
after  volley  with  so  deadly  an  effect  that,  leaving  the  ground  literally 
■<;overed  in  some  places  with  their  dead  and  wounded,  they  precipi- 
"tately  retreated."  The  angle  of  one  of  our  redoubts  having  been 
breached  by  their  artillery  previcus  to  the  assault,  when  the  repulse 
occurred,  a  party  of  about  sixty  of  the  enemy,  under  the  command  of 
a  lieutenant  colonel,  made  a  rush,  succeeded  in  effecting  a  lodgment 
in  the  ditch  at  the  foot  of  the  redoubt  and  planted  two  colors  on  the 
•parapet.  It  was  of  vital  importance  to  drive  them  out,  and,  upon  a 
call  for  volunteers  for  that  purpose,  two  companies  of  Waul's  T<?xas 
•legion,  commanded  respectively  by.  Captain  Bradley  and  Lieutenant 
■Hogue,  accompanied  by  the  gallant  and  chivalrous  Colonel  E.  W. 
Pettus,  of  the  twentieth  Alabatra  regiment,  musket  in  hand, 
•promptly  presented  themselves  for  the  hazardous  service.  Of  their 
success,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  was  achieved,  General  Stevenson 
■says:  "  A  more  gallant  feat  than  this  has  not  illustrated  our  annals 
during  the  war.  The  preparations  were  quietly  and  quickly  made, 
hut  the  enemy  seemed  at  once  to  divine  our  purpose  and  opened  upon 
the  angle  a  terrible  fire  of  shot,  shell  and  mushctrj^ ;  undaunted,  this 
little  band,  its  chivalrous  commander  at  its  head,  rushed  upon  the 
work  and,  in  less  time  than  it  requires  to  describe  it.  it  and  the  fl::gs 
were  in  our  possession  Preparations  were  then  quickly  made  for  the 
use  of  hand  grenades,  when  the  enemy  in  the  ditch,  being  informed  of 
our  purpose,  immediately  surrendered."  General  Forney  in  his 
report,  speaking  of  the  assault  upon  our  entrenchment,  says:  "  On 
the  22nd  of  May  he  assaulted  three  points  on  my  line  as,  follows: 
three  times  on  my  extreme  left  and  extending  to  General  Smith's 
front ;  twice  on  the  Jackson  road,  and  twice  on  the  Baldwin's  ferry 
road,  at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  five  o'clock,  P  M.  These  assaults 
were  made  by  larger  bodies  and  apparently  with  greater  determination 
than  those  of  the  19th  of  May.  Colonel  Waul's  legion  had  previously 
been  sent  to  General  Stevenson ;  but  Green's  brigade,  of  Bowen's 
division,  v/as  in  reserve  behind  my  right,  and  assisted  in  repelling  the 
attack  at  that  point.  There  were  also,  on  this  day,  two  Louisiana 
regiments  of  Smith's  division  in  reserve  behind  my  division.  The 
enemy  was  repulsed  in  each  of  his  attempts,  though  he  succeeded  in 


63 

getting  a  few  men  into  our  exterior  ditches  at  oach  point  cf  attack, 
from  which  they  were,  however,  driven  before  night.  Hand  grenades 
were  used  at  each  point  with  good  effect.  A  color-bearer  and  two 
stands  of  colors  were  captured  by  the  second  Texas  regiment,  of 
Moore's  brigade.  On  this  day  the  casualties  in  my  division  were 
forty-two  killed  and  ninety-five  wounded  "  The  loss  of  the  enemy 
must  have  reached  two  thousand."  General  Smith,  in  his  report  of 
this  assault,  says  :  **  The  22nd  passed  in  the  same  manner  until 
about  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  a  column  was  discovered  advancing 
against  the  right  of  Shoupe's  brigade  ;  it  was  immediately  driven 
back.  Another  then  approached  on  the  right  of  the  centre ;  this  was 
dispersed  without  great  effort,  and  with  considerable  loss.  Again  the 
enemy  appeared  in  increased  force  on  my  right  and  Forney's  left;  he 
was  promptly  repulsed,  with  heavy  loss.  This  terminated  the  day's 
operations,  with  the  exception  of  the  same  heavy  fire  of  musketry 
and  r.rtillery  kept  up  until  dark  along  my  entire  front."  After  these 
several  decided  repulses,  the  enemy  seemed  to  have  abandoned  the 
idea  of  taking  by  assault  and  went  vigorously  at  work  to  thoroughly 
invest  and  attack  by  regular  approaches,  and  the  history  of  one  day 
is  pretty  much  the  history  of  all. 

23rr/. — This  day  was  unusually  quiet,  with  but  little  artillery  firing, 
until  late  in  the  afternoon.  The  sharpshooters  of  the  enemy  were 
more  cautious,  and  he  was  evidently  staggered  by  the  severe  repulse 
of  the  day  previous.  Many  of  his  dead  were  still  lying  unburicd  in 
sight  of  our  trenches. 

The  fire  from  the  mortar  fleet  continued  heavy  and  incessant.  At 
night  the  engineers  were  again  busily  engaged  in  repairing  the  works 
in  front  of  Lee,  Moore  and  Heberr,  which  were  badly  shatterc<l. 

24th. — At  an  early  hour  the  mortar  fleet  opened  and  kept  up  a  con- 
tinuous and  heavy  bombardment  throughout  the  day.  Just  before 
dark  the  artillery  from  the  rear  opened  a  rapid  and  heavy  fire,  but 
not  of  long  duration. 

In  the  afternoon  the  enemy  attempted  to  mine  our  works  on  the 
Jackson  road,  but  were  soon  driven  off  by  the  u-^e  of  haul  grenades. 

During  the  night  the  engineers  were  engaged  in  increa'sing  and 
strengthening  our  works.  Before  daylight  our  river  pickets  captured 
a  barge  laden  with  coal,  which  was  sunk,  it  being  fonnd  impracticable 
to  unload  it.  General  Stevenson  was  ordered  to  have  collet)ted  all 
the  ammunition  scattered  in  front  of  our  trcnciios  and  to  have  the 
cartrifige  boxes  of  the  enemy's  dead  emptied  of  their  contents,  it 
being  important  to  add  in  any  way  to  our  limited  supply  cf  ammuni- 
tion,.and  of  musket  caps  esp^eially,  of  which  latter  we  stood  greatly 
in  need,  having  a  million  more  of  cartri<lge8  than  caps,  without  which 
latter,  of  course,  the  former  could  be  of  no  possible  value. 

25///. — The  enemy  appeared  in  force  to-day  on  the  Warrenton  and 
Hall's  Ferry  roads.  The  firing  was  about  as  usual  until  six  o'clock, 
when  a  cessation  of  hostilities  was  agreed  upon  to  permit  the  enemy 
to  bury  his  dead,  killed  in  the  assault  of  PViday.  The  following  is 
the  corrcBpondencc  on  the  subject: 


54 

**  Headquarters  Department  Mississippi  and  E,  Louisiana,  > 

**  Vickskirg,  May  25,   1863.      J 
"  Commanding  General  United  States  Forces  in  front  of  Vickshurg  : 

"  Sir  :  Two  days  having  elapsed  since  your  dead  and  wounded  have 
been  lying  in  our  front,  and  as  yet  no  disposition  on  your  part  of  a 
desire  to  remove  th-^m  being  exhibited,  in  the  name  of  humanity,  I 
have  the  honor  to  propose  a  cessation  of  hostilities  for  two  and  a  half 
(2  1-2)  hours,  that  you  may  be  enabled  to  remove  your  dead  and 
dying  men.  If  you  cannot  do  this,  on  notification  from  you  that 
hostilities  will  be  suspended  on  your  part  for  the  time  specified,  I  will 
endeavor  to  have  the  dead  buried  and  the  wounded  cared  for, 
"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

**  J.  C.  Pemberton, 
"  Lieutenant  General  Commanding.^'' 

To  which  communication  the  following  reply  was  received: 

"Headquarters,  3:30,  P.  M.,  Department  of  the  Tennessee,  ) 

''Near   Vicksburg,  May  25,   1863.       ] 
"  Lieutenant  General  J.  C.  Pemberton, 

"  Commayiding  Confederate  Forces,   Vickshurg,  Miss.  : 

*'  Sir  :  Your  note  of  this  date,  proposing  a  cessation  of  hostilities 
for  two  and  a  half  hours  for  the  purpose  of  giving  me  an  opportunity 
of  collecting  the  dead  and  wounded,  is  just  received.  As  it  will  take 
some  time  to  send  word  to  all  my  forces  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
opportunity  afforded  and  to  return  this  to  you,  so  that  notice  may  be 
given  to  your  troops  of  the  cessation  of  hostilites,  I  will  name  six 
o'clock,  P.  M  ,  to-day,  as  the  hour  when  we  will  commence  collecting 
any  wounded  or  dead  we  may  have  still  upon  the  field.  From  that 
hour,  for  two  and  a  half  hours,  all  hostilities  shall  cease  on  our  side. 
"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

*'  U.    S.  Grant, 
"  Major  Ge7ieral.^^ 

During  the  day  about  one  hundred  prisoners  were  captured,  and  a 
■working  party  was  sent  to  throw  up  obstructions  on  the  flat  below 
the  city.  No  circumstance  worthy  of  special  note  occurred  between 
this  date  and  that  of  the  27th.  The  enemy  evidently  was  discouraged 
by  his  previous  fruitless  and  costly  .assault  upon  our  works  in  the 
rear,  and  he  therefore  determined,  if  possible,  to  attempt  to  silence 
■our  upper  battery,  and  then,  by  the  aid  of  his  gunboats,  to  effect  a 
lodgment  in  the  trenches  immediately  above  and  beyond  it.  With  this 
•design,  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  at  about  nine  o'clock,  four  of  his 
boats  engaged  our  lower  batteries  ;  ac  the  same  time  the  Cincinnati, 
a  turretcd  iron-clad  of  the  largest  class,  and  carrying  fourteen  guns, 
pushed  boldly  down  the  river,  rounded  the  peninsula,  and  was  soon 
hotly  engaged  with  our  upper  battery  at  short  range.  After  a 
spirited  engagement  of  about  forty  .five  minutes  the  Cincinnati  was 
rendered  a  complete  wreck,  and  only  escaped  total  destruction  by 
being  run  aground  on  the  Mississippi  shore,  where  she  is  probably  still 
lying.  The  lower  fleet,  witnessing  her  discomfiture,  soon  drew  off, 
swith  what  damage  to  themselves  it  is  impossible  to  say.     The  firing 


55 

from  otir  batteries  was  most  excellent  ond  too  much  praise  cannot  lo 
awarded  to  Colonel  Iliggins,  his  officers  and  men,  for  their  galhiiitrj, 
coolness  and  skill.  The  enemy  still  continued  to  work  steadily  in- 
completing and  strengthening  his  line  of  circumvallation.  His  fire 
of  both  musketry  and  artillery  was  continuous  during  each  day. 
Major  Matthews,  ordnance  officer,  was  instructed  to  have  the  large 
number  of  unexploded  I'arrott  shells,  scattered  around  the  city,  sent 
to  Paxton's  foundry  and  re-cappcd.  On  the  morning  of  the  29th  the 
enemy  opened  a  terrific  fire  from  the  rear,  and  for  four  hoars  a  storm 
of  shot  and  shell  was  rained  upon  the  city,  seriously  damaging  many 
buildings,  killing  and  wounding  a  large  number  of  soldiers  and  citi- 
zens. During  the  day  Ellett's  Marine  Brigade  arrived  and  anchored 
at  the  bend  above.  Two  couriers  had  arrived  from  General  Johnston 
on  the  2Sth  and  29th  respectively;  the  former  brought  lS,0'iU  caps, 
the  latter  20,000  and  the  following  dispatch,  the  first  received  since 
the  18th: 

**May  25,   18G3. 
■"  Lieutenant  General  Pkmberton  : 

'*  My  last  note  was  returned  by  the  bearer.  200,0011  caps  have  been 
sent.  It  will  be  continued  as  they  arrive.  Bragg  is  sending  a  divis- 
ion ;  when  it  comes  I  will  move  to  you.  Which  do  you  think  th.^ 
best  route  ?  How  and  where  is  the  enemy  encamped  ?  What  is  your 
force  ? 

**  J.   E.   Johnston." 

(The  2(^0,0  :0  caps  mentioned  in  the  above  dispatch  were  captured 
by  the  enemy.)  1  dispatched  the  following  reply  :  "  Your  dispatch 
of  25th  received  this  evening,  with  20,000  caps.  Fontaine  yesterday 
with  18,0011.  No  messenger  from  you  since  18th.  I  have  lS,Onn 
men  to  man  the  lines  and  river  front.  No  reserves.  I  do  not  thiuk 
you  should  move  with  less  than  3i>,000  or  35.000,  and  then,  if  pos- 
sible, towards  Snyder's  Mills,  giving  me  notice  of  the  time  of  your 
approach.  The  enemy  encompasses  my  lines  from  right  to  left  flank, 
occupying  all  roads  He  has  three  corps,  Sherman  on  my  left, 
Mcl'herson  centre,  McClernand  on  my  right,  Hurlbut's  division  from 
jSIemphis,  and  Ellett's  Marine  Brigade  (the  last  afloat).  Enemy  has 
made  several  assaults.  My  men  are  in  good  spirits,  awaiuug  your 
•arrival.  Since  investment  we  have  lost  about  1,000  men,  many  offi- 
cers. You  may  depend  on  my  holding  the  place  as  long  as  possible. 
On  the  27th  we  sunk  one  of  their  best  iron-clad  gunboats." 

On  the  30th  I  again  dispatched  as  lollows :  "Scouts  report  the 
enemy  to  have  withdrawn  most  of  his  forces  from  our  right  yester- 
day, leaving  Hall's  Ferry  road  open — I  apprehend,  for  a  movement 
against  you.     I  expect  this  courier  to  return  to  me," 

The  meat  ration  having  been  reduced  one-half,  that  of  sugar,  rice 
and  beans  was  larg«lv  increased.  It  was  important,  above  all  things, 
that  every  encouragement  should  be  given  to  the  troops.  With  this 
object  in  view,  I  ordered  tke  impressment  of  chewing  tobacco  and  its 
issue  to  the  troops.  This  had  a  very  beneficial  influence.  The 
<nemy  kept  steadily  at  work  day  an<i  Tiight,  and,  taking  advantage  of 
the  cover  of  the  hills,  had  run  his  parallels  up  to  within  seventy-five 


5S 

yards  of  our  -n-orks.  He  was  also  loining  at  different  points,  and  it 
required  the  active  and  constant  attention  of  our  engineers  to  repair 
at  night  the  damage  inflicted  upon  our  works  during  the  daj,  and  to 
meet  his  different  mines  by  countermining.  Orders  were  issued  i^ 
prepare  thunder-barrels  and  petards  for  the  defence  of  weak  points, 
and  every  precaution  was  taken  to  check  the  enemy  in  his  operations 
and  to  dehiy  them  as  far  as  possible. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  the  following  dispatch  was  sent  to  General 
Johnston  :  "  I  am  still  without  information  from  you  later  than  your 
dispatch  of  2oth.  The  en£my  continues  to  entrench  his  position 
around  V^icksburg.  I  have  sent  out  couriers  to  you  almost  daily. 
The  same  men  are  constantly  in  the  trenches,  but  are  still  in  good 
spirits,  expecting  your  approach.  The  enemy  is  so  vigilant  that  it 
is  impossible  to  obtain  reliable  information.  When  may  I  expect  you 
to  move,  and  in  what  direction  ?  My  subsistence  may  be  put  down 
at  twenty  days."  On  the  IDth  I  again  dispatched  as  follows  :  "  The 
enemy  bombard  day  and  night  from  seven  mortars  on  opposite  side  of 
peninsula.  He  also  keeps  up  constant  fire  on  our  lines  with  artillery 
and  sharp  shooters.  We  arc  losing  many  officers  and  men.  I  am 
waiting  most  anxiously  to  know  your  intentions.  Have  heard  nothing 
of  you  or  from  you  since  25th  May.  I  shall  endeavor  to  hold  out  as 
long  as  we  have  any  thing  to  eat.  Can  you  not  send  me  a  verbal 
message  by  a  courier,  crossing  the  river  above  or  below  Vicksburg, 
and  swimming  across  again  opposite  Vicksburg,"  Again,  on  the  12th, 
I  dispatched  as  follows  :  "  Courier  Walker  arrived  this  morning  witb 
caps.  No  message  from  you.  Very  heavy  firing  yesterday  from 
mortars  and  on  lines." 

About  this  time  our  provisions,  particularly  of  meat,  having  be- 
come almost  exhausted,  General  Stevenson  was  instructed  to  impress 
all  cattle  in  the  city,  and  the  chief  commissary  directed  to  sell  only 
one  ration  per  diem  to  any  officer.  He  was  also  instructejl  to  issue 
for  bread  equal  portions  of  rieo  and  flour,  four  ounces  of  each. 
About  the  13th,  Captain  Saunders  arrived  from  Jackson,  via  Steele's 
Bayou,  with  200, (){)()  percussion  caps  ;  and  a  day  or  two  subsequent, 
I  leceivod  the  following  dispatch  from  General  Johnston,  May  29, 
1863: 

''  I  am  too  Vi'cak  to  save  Vicksburg;  ca«  do  no  more  than  attempt 
to  save  you  and  your  garrison.  It  will  be  impossible  to  extricate 
Tou  unless  you  co-operate,  and  we  make  mutually  supporting  move- 
ments.     Communicate  your  plans  and  suggestions  if  possible." 

On  the  14th  and  15th,  I  addressed  General  Johnston  as  follows: 

"  Vicksburg,  14th  June,  18G3. 

"  Last  night  Captain  Saunders  arrived  with  200,01)0  caps,  but 
brought  no  information  as  to  your  position  or  movement.'^.  The 
enemy  is  landing  troops  in  large  numbers  on  Louisiana  shore  above 
Vicksburg  They  are  probably  from  Memphis,  but  it  may  be  from 
Yazoo.  I  cannot  ascertain  positively.  On  the  Grave-yard  road  tho 
enemy  has  run  his  saps  to  within  twenty-five  yards  of  our  works. 
He  will  probably  attempt  to  sink  a  mine  ;  I  shall  try  to  thwart  him. 
I  am  anxiously  expecting  to  hear  from  you,  to  arrange  for  co-opera- 
tion." 


57 

"  VicKSBURG,  June  15th,  1SG3. 

"  The  enemy  has  placed  several  very  heavy  guns  in  position  against 
our  works,  and  is  approachin.s^  them  very  nearly  by  sap.  His  fire  is 
almost  continuous.  Our  men  have  no  relief,  are  becoming  much  fa- 
tigued, but  are  still  in  pretty  good  spirits.  I  think  your  movement 
should  be  made  as  soon  as  possible.  The  enemy  is  receiving  rein- 
forcements, AVe  are  living  on  greatly  reduced  rations,  but  I  think 
sufficient  for  twenty  days  yet  " 

The  enemy  had  now  placed  in  position,  on  the  peninsula,  several 
very  heavy  guns,  the  fire  of  which  was  very  destructive,  and  thougti 
repeated  attempts  were  made,  we  could  not  succeed  in  silencing  them.. 
On  the  19th  the  following  telegram  Avas  sent  to  General  Johnston: 

"  The  enemy  opened  all  his  batteries  on  our  lines  about  three  and 
half  o'clock  this  morning,  and  continued  the  heaviest  firo  we  hive  yet 
sustained,  until  eight  o'clock  ;  but  he  did  not  assault  our  works  Ar- 
tillery is  reported  to  have  been  distinctly  heard  about  two  o'clock  A. 
M.,  towards  and  east  of  Snyder's  Mills,  supposed  to  have  been  an  en- 
gagement with  your  troops.  On  the  Grave-yard  road  the  enemy's 
works  are  within  twenty-five  feet  of  our  redan  ;  also  very  close  on 
Jackson  and  Baldwin's  ferry  roads.  1  hope  you  will  advance  with  the 
least  possible  delay.  My  men  have  been  thirty-four  days  and  nights 
in  trenches  without  relief,  and  the  enemy  within  conversation  dis- 
tance. We  are  living  on  very  reduced  rations,  and,  as  you  know,  are 
entirely  isolated.  "What  aid  am  I  to  expect  from  you.  The  bearer, 
Captain  Wise,  can  be  confided  in." 

On  the  night  of  the  22d,a  party  from  Cummings'  Georgia  brigade, 
Stevenson's  division,  made  a  gallant  sortie  on  the  Hall's  Ferry  road, 
and  captured  a  lieutenant  colonel  and  twelve  men,  with  their  en- 
trenching tools,  etc. 

On  the  night  of  the  23d,  a  heavy  skirmish  occurred  in  front  of 
Cummings'  line,  for  the  possession  of  a  picket  station,  which  resulted 
in  the  repulse  of  the  enemy.  Under  date  of  the  21st,  the  following 
dispatch  was  sent  out  to  General  Johnston  : 

"Your  dispatches  of  1 4th  and  Kith  received.  If  it  is  absolutely 
impossible,  in  your  opinion,  to  raise  the  siege  with  our  combined 
forces,  and  that  nothing  more  can  be  done  than  to  extricate  the  g.ar- 
rison,  I  suggest,  that,  giving  me  full  information  in  time  to  act,  you 
move  by  the  north  of  the  railroad,  drive  in  the  enemy's  pickets  at 
night,  and  at  daylight  next  morning  engage  him  heavily  with  skir- 
mishers, occupving  him  during  the  entire  day,  and  that  on  that  night  I 
move  by  the  Warrenton  road  by  llankinson's  ferry,  to  which  point  you 
should  previously  send  a  brigade  of  cavalry,  with  two  field  batteries, 
to  build  a  bridge  there  and  hold  that  ferry  ;  also  Hall's  and  Baldwin's, 
to  cover  my  crossing  at  Hankinson's.  1  shall  not  be  able  move  with 
my  artillery  or  wagons.  I  suggest  this  as  the  best  plan,  because  all 
the  other  road.s  are  too  strongly  entrenched,  and  the  enemy  in  too 
heavy  force,  for  a  reasonable  prospect  of  success,  unless  you, move  in 
Bufiicient  force  to  compel  him  to  abandon  his  communications  with 
Snyder's,  which  I  fitill  hope  we  may  be  able  to  do.  I  await  your 
orders.     Captain  Cooper  understands  all  my  views,  and  will  explain 


58 

further."  I  insert  here  two  dispatches  from  General  Johnston,  re- 
ceived about  this  time,  one  of  which  is  acknowledged  in  my  letter 
above  : 

"June  14,  1863. 

"  All  that  we  can  attempt  is  to  save  you  and  your  garrison.  To 
do  this  exact  co-operation  is  indispensable.  By  fighting  the  enemy 
simultaneously  at  the  same  point  of  his  line  you  may  be  extricated. 
Our  joint  forces  cannot  raise  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  My  communi- 
cations with  the  rear  can  best  be  preserved  by  operating  north  of 
railroad.  Inform  mo  as  soon  as  possible  what  point  will  suit  you 
best.  Your  dispatches  of  the  12th  received.  General  Taylor,  with 
eight  thousand  men,  will  endeavor  to  open  communication  with  you 
from  Richmond." 

''June  22,   1863. 

''Your  dispatch  of  the  15th  received.  General  Taylor  is  sent  by 
General  E.  Kirby  Smith  to  co-operate  with  you  from  the  west  bank 
of  the  river,  to  throw  in  supplies,  and  to  cross  with  his  force  if  expe- 
dient and  practicable.  I  will  have  the  means  of  moving  towards  the 
enemy  in  a  day  or  two,  and  will  try  to  make  a  diversion  in  your 
favor,  and  if  possible  communicate  with  you,  though  I  fear  my  force 
is  too  small  to  eflfect  the  latter.  I  have  only  two-thirds  of  the  force 
you  told  messenger  Saunders  to  state  to  me  as  the  least  with  which  I 
ought  to  make  an  attempt.  Scouts  report  the  enemy  fortifying  to- 
wards us  and  the  roads  blocked.  If  I  can  do  nothing  to  relieve  you, 
rather  than  surrender  the  garrison,  endeavor  to  cross  the  river  at  the 
last  moment,  if  you  and  General  Taylor  communicate." 

Late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  25th  the  enemy  exploded  his  first  mine 
under  the  parapet  of  General  Forney's  works.  In  his  official  report 
that  officer  says  :  "  The  explosion  effected  a  breach,  through  which 
the  enemy  immediately  attempted  to  charge,  but  was  promptly  and 
gallantly  repulsed.  The  sixth  Missouri  regiment,  which  had  been 
held  in  reserve,  was  on  the  spot  immediately  after  the  explosion,  and 
its  co;nmander.  Colonel  Eugene  Irvin,  was  instantly  killed  while 
attempting  to  lead  a  charge  over  the  works.  Six  men  of  the  forty- 
thiid  Mississippi  regiment,  who  were  in  a  shaft  counter-mining  at  the 
time  of  the  explosion,  were  buried  and  lost.  At  dark  the  enemy  had 
possessed  himself  of  the  ditch  and  slope  of  the  parapet,  and  our 
forces  retired  to  an  interior  line,  a  few  feet  back.  This  point  was 
now  reinforced  by  Colonel  Cockrell's  brigade  of  Bowen's  division,  and 
work  was  resumed  by  the  enemy  and  by  us,  we  counter- mining  and 
they  mining."  From  this  time  until  the  1st  nothing  of  moment 
occurred.  On  that  day,  however,  the  enemy  sprung  another  mine  on 
the  right  of  the  Jackson  road,  which  is  thus  spoken  of  by  General 
Forney  in  his  report:  "  The  result  was  the  entire  demolition  of  the 
redan,  leaving  only  an  immense  chasm  where  it  stood.  The  greater 
portion  of  the  earth  was  thrown  towards  the  enemy,  the  line  of  least 
resistance  being  in  that  direction.  Our  interior  line  was  much 
injured.  Nine  men,  who  were  counter-mining,  were  necessarily  lost, 
and  a  large  number  of  those  manning  the  works  were  killed  and 
wounded.     The  enemy,  however,  made  no  attempt  to  charge,  seeming 


59 

satisfied  vrith  having  materially  weakened  the  position.  I  understand 
that  the  amount  of  poAvdcr  used  bj  the  enemy  in  this  explosion  was 
one  ton.  While  all  this  was  taking  place  on  the  Jackson  road,  the 
enemy  was  by  no  means  idle  at  other  points.  At  the  work  on  the 
Baldwin's  Ferry  road  his  sappers  had  nearly  reached  the  ditch.  At 
this  place  we  sprung  a  countermine,  which  was  unfortunately  a  little 
premature."  From  this  time  forward  our  engineers  were  kept  con- 
stantly and  busily  employed  in  counter-mining  against  the  enemy, 
who  was  at  work  day  and  night  in  mining  on  different  portions  of  the 
line.  About  this  time,  our  stock  of  bacon  having  been  almost 
exhausted,  the  experiment  of  using  mule  meat  as  a  substitute  was 
tried,  it  being  issued  only  to  those  who  desired  to  use  it,  and  I  am 
gratified  to  say  it  was  found  by  both  officers  and  men  not  only  nutri- 
tious, but  very  palatable  and  every  way  preferable  to  poor  beef. 

I  have  already  given  m  exttnso  the  several  letters  received  from 
General  Johnston  up  to  this  time  and  my  replies  thereto.  In  this 
connection  I  take  occasion  to  introduce  General  Johnston's  letter  of 
the  2Tth  of  June,  which  was  never  received  by  me,  but  a  copy  of 
which  General  Johnston  was  kind  enough  to  furnish  : 

''June  27,   18G3. 

**  Your  dispatch  of  the  22nd  received.  General  E.  K.  Smith's 
troops  have  bcc-n  mismanaged  and  have  fallen  back  to  Delhi.  I  have 
sent  a  special  messenger  urging  him  to  assume  direct  command.  The 
determined  spirit  you  manifest  and  his  expected  co-operation 
encourage  me  to  hope  something  may  yet  be  done  to  save  Vicksburg 
and  to  postpone  both  the  modes  suggested  of  merely  extricating  the 
garrison.  Negotiations  with  Grant  for  the  relief  of  the  garrison, 
should  they  become  necessary,  mus^  be  made  by  you.  It  would  be  a 
confession  of  weakness  on  my  part,  which  I  ought  not  to  make,  to 
propose  them.  When  it  becomes  necessary  to  make  terms,  they  may 
be  considered  as  made  under  my  authority." 

To  preserve  the  continuity  of  the  narrative,  and  ihat  events  may 
be  mentioned  in  the  order  of   their  dates,  I  also  give  General  John- 
Eton's  letter  of  July  3rd,  which  was  received  by  me  on  the  10th  : 
"  Camp  near  Birlsong's  Ferry,  July  3rd. 

"  Your  dispatches  of  2Sth  were  destroyed  by  messenger.  He 
states  that  General  Smith's  troops  were  driven  back  to  Monroe.  This 
statement  and  his  account  of  your  condition  make  me  think  it  neces- 
sary to  create  a  diversion  and  thus  enable  you  to  cut  your  way  out, 
if  the  time  has  arrived  for  you  to  do  this.  Of  that  time  I  cannot 
judge — you  must,  as  it  depends  upon  your  condition.  I  hope  to 
attack  the  enemy  in  your  front  the  7th,  and  your  co-operation  will  be 
necessary.  The  manner  and  the  proper  point  for  you  to  bring  the 
garrison  out  must  be  determined  by  you,  from  your  superior  knowl- 
edge of  the  ground  and  distribution  of  the  enemy's  forces.  Our 
firing  will  show  you  wl  ere  we  are  cr;gaged.  If  Yicksburg  cannot 
be  saved,  the  garrison  must." 

On  the  first  of  July  I  felt  satisfied  that  the  time  had  arrived  when 
it  was  necessary  either  to  evacuate  the  city  and  cut  my  way  out  or  to 
capitulate  upon  the  best  attainable  terms.     My  own   inclination   led 


60 

me  to  hvov  the  former.  With  this  view,  therefore,  I  addressed  to 
my  division  commanders — Generals  Stevenson,  P'orney.  Smith  and 
Bowen — the  following  communication  : 

"  HEAOqUARTEIlS  DEPARTMENT  MISSISSIPPI  AND  E.   LOUISIANA,  ) 

"  Vicksburg,Jnlj  1,  186.3.  \ 
"General:  Unless  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  is  raised,  or  supplies 
are  thrown  in,  it  will  become  necessary  very  shortly  to  evacuate  th^ 
place.  I  see  no  prospect  of  the  former,  and  there  are  many  great,  if 
not  insuperable,  obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  latter.  You  are,  there- 
fore, requested  to  inform  me,  with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  as  to 
the  condition  of  your  troops,  and  their  ability  to  make  the  marches 
and  undergo  the  fatigues  necessary  to  accomplish  a  successful  evacua- 
tion. You  will,  of  course,  use  the  utmost  discretion  whilst  informing 
yourself,  through  your  subordinates,  upon  all  points  tending  to  a  clear 
elucidation  of  the  subjects  of  my  inquiry. 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"John  C.  Pemberton, 
*'  Lieutenant  General  commanding. ^^ 

The  next  day  I  received  a  reply  from  each  of  those  officers,  which 
is  herewith  submitted : 

"  Headquarters  Stevenson's  Division,  > 
"  Vicksburg,  July  2,  1863.       \ 

"  General  :  Your  note  (confidential)  of  yesterdaj^  requesting  me 
to  inform  you  as  to  the  '  condition  of  my  troops,  and  their  ability  to 
make  tlie  marches  and  undergo  the  fatigues  necessary  to  accomplish 
a  successful  evacuation  of  this  city,'  was  duly  received;  and  I  have  the 
honor  to  reply  thereto,  as  follows  :  My  men' are  very  cheerful,  but 
from  long  confinement — more  than  forty-five  days — in  the  trenches, 
on  short  rations,  are  necessarily  much  enfeebled;  and  a  considerable 
number  would  be  unable  to  make  the  marches  and  undergo  tlse  fa- 
tigues which  would  probably  be  necessary  to  a  successful  evr.cuation 
of  this  city.  If  pressed  by  the  enemy,  and  it  should  be  necessary  to 
place  the  Big  Black  in  our  rear,  on  our  march,  the  chances  are  that  a 
large  number  of  them  now  in  the  trenches  could  not  succeed.  1  be- 
lieve, however,  that  most  of  them,  rather  than  be  captured,  would 
exert  themselves  to  the  utmost  to  accomplish  it.  I  respectfully  trans- 
mit herewith  the  opinions  of  my  brigade  commanders  on  these  points. 
"  I  am,  sir,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  C.  L.  Stevenson,  Major  General"  • 

"  Division  Headquarters,  near  Vicksburg,  > 

''July  2,  186-3.  J 
"General:  In  reply  to  your  confidential  note  of  yesterday,  re- 
questing to  be  informed  as  to  the  '  condition  of  my  troops,  and  their 
ability  to  make  the  marches,  and  undergo  the  fatigues  necessary  to 
accomplish  a  successful  evacuation,'  as  heart-rending  as  the  reply 
may  be,  I  have  to  state  that  I  concur  in  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the 
brigade  and  regimental  commanders,  that  the  physical  condition  and 
health  of  our  men  are  not  sufficiently  good  to  enable  them  to  accom- 
plish, successfully,   the  evacuation.     The  spirit  of  the  men  is  still, 


61 

however,  unshaken,  and  I  am  satisfied  they  will  cheerfully  continue  to 
bear  the  fatigues  and  privations  of  the  siog'?.     I  enclose  herewith,  for 
your  further  information,  the  brigade  reports. 
"  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  John  II.  Forney,  Major  (j(/jc;-«/." 

*'  Division  Headquarters,  Jufy  2,  I8G3. 
**  Gf.neral  :  Your  note  of  yesterday  desires  from  me  a  reply  on  two 
points,  viz  :  The  'condition  of  ray  troops,  ar.d  their  ability  to  make 
the  marches  and  undergo  the  fatigue  necessary  to  a  successful  evacua- 
tion of  this  place.'  The  length  of  the  marches,  and  amount  of  fatigue 
necessary  to  a  successful  evacuation,  not  being  indicated,  I  confine 
myself  to  giving  the  following  information  and  opinions :  There  are 
about  three  thousand  (3,00(1)  men  in  my  division,  including  State 
troops,  in  a  condition  to  undertake  a  march  of  eight  or  ten  miles  a 
iay  in  this  weather,  if  there  is  an  opportunity  of  resting  at  intervals. 
Out  of  these  three  thousand,  only  about  two  thousmd  are  considered 
reliable,  in  case  "we  are-  strouijly  opposed  and  much  harrasscd.  A 
secret  evacuation  I  consider  almost  impossible,  on  account  of  the  tem- 
per of  many  in  my  command,  who  would  of  necessity  bo  left  behind, 
aot  to  incution  their  natural  timidity  when  Icf:  alone,  which  would 
induce  them  at  once  to  get  into  communication  with  the  enemy  for 
:.heir  own  fancied  safety,  I  vould  really  expect  the  enemy  to  become 
iware  of  the  movement  before  my  command  had  cleared  the  right  of 
)ur  line.  It  is  proper  to  mention  that  the  two  thousand  alluded  to 
have  suffered  severely  in  the  loss  of  field  officers  during  the  siege,  and 
svhile  their  individual  bravery  remains  the  same,  they  will  be  more 
readily  thrown  into  confusion,  from  "want '  f  officers  to  handle  them,  if 
i'orccd  to  halt  and  go  through  any  formation  to  oppose  an  enemy.  In 
3ther  words,  while  under  the  impression  that  the  the  troops  will  to- 
iay  r.  sistan  assault  as  obstinately,  or  perhaps  more  so,  than  when  they 
Srst  manned  the  trenches,  I  do  not  think  they  would  do  as  well  out 
of  them  and  in  the  field.  I  believe  that  General  Johnston  either  has 
3r  will  fight  Grant ;  and  my  hope  has  been  that  he  would  be  suc- 
cessful, and  in  time  to  relieve  us.  At  present,  however,  I  see  no 
;hance  of  timely  relief  from  him  ;  and  his  dispatches  have  never  indi- 
jated  a  hope  of  being  able  to  raise  the  siege.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, I  deem  it  best  to  propose  terms  of  capitulation,  before  forced 
;o  do  so  from  want  of  provisions.  The  following,  although  not  called 
'or  by  your  note,  is  respectfully  stated,  on  account  of  a  personal  con- 
versation had  some  days  since.  In  regard  to  evacuating,  with  or 
ivithout  entering  into  terms  of  agreement  with  the  enemy,  I  would 
nuch  prefer  the  former.  There  is,  to  my  mind,  no  practical  difference 
between  giving  up  a  place  openly  or  secretly. 

"  I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  L,  Smith,  Major  General. 

"IlEAnquARTERs  Bowen's  Division, 
Vicksburg,  Miis.,  July  2,  1863. 
"Gener\l:  In  reply  to  your  enquiry  of  this  morning,  in  regard 


G2 

to  the  condition  of  my  command,  to  force  their  way  through  the 
enemy's  lines  in  case  that  the  necessity  should  arise  to  evacuate  this 
position,  1  have  the  honor  to  state  that  my  men  are  in  as  good,  if  not 
better,  spirits  than  any  others  in  the  line,  and  able  to  stand  as  much 
fatigue  ;  yet  I  do  not  consider  them  capable  (physically)  of  enduring 
the  hardships  incident  to  such  an  undertaking.  Forty-five  days 
incessant  duty,  day  and  night,  with  short  rations — the  wear  of  both 
mind  and  body  incident  to  our  situation,  has  had  a  marked  effect  upon 
them,  and  I  am  satisfied  they  cannot  give  battle  and  march  over  ten 
or  twelve  miles  in  the  same  day.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  General 
Johnston  has  never  held  out  tlie  slightest  hope  to  us  that  the  siege 
could  be  raised,  that  his  demonstration  in  our  favor  to  relieve  this 
exhausted  garrison,  would  of  necessity  be  sufficient  to  raise  it,  I  see 
no  alternative  but  to  endeavor  to  rescue  the  command  by  making 
terms  with  the  enemy.  Under  the  most  favcrable  circumstances, 
were  we  to  cut  our  way  out,  we  could  not,  in  my  opinion,  save  two- 
thirds  of  our  present  effective  strength  ;  no  provision  could  be  made 
for  our  wounded  who  fell  in  the  attempt,  or  those  we  leave  behind 
iT  the  hospitals,  and  our  army  would  reach  Gfeneral  Johnston,  if  wo 
should  get  through,  a  mere  handful  of  broken-down  stragglers, 

'*  I  would,  therefore,  recommend  an  immediate  proposition  be  made 
to  capitulate.  If  accepted,  we  get  everything  we  have  any  right  to 
hope  for;  if  rejected,  we  can  still  hold  out  stubbornly  for  some  days, 
and  our  enemy  may  make  the  proposal  to  us.  When  our  rations  are 
exhausted  or  nearly  so,  we  may  accept  a  surrender  with  the  condition 
of  a  general  parole  instead  of  imprisonment  for  the  command.  If 
the  offer  is  made  at  once,  we  have  a  better  chance  of  making  terms, 
than  when  we  have  ^only  one  day's  resistance  in  store  in  case  of  a 
refusal.  The  proposition  coming  from  us,  if  rejected,  will  make  our 
men  determined  to  fight  to  the  last ;  theirs,  on  the  contrary,  will  feel 
tliat  after  Vicksburg  has  been  offered,  their  blood  is  shed  to  gratify 
a  more  vindictive  feeling  against  its  garrison,  whose  only  fault  has 
been  the  noble  defence  they  have  made,  and  I  believe  that  numbers  of 
the  enemy  haife  still  enough  manhood  to  admire  our  courage  and 
determination,  and  urge  liberal  terms  of  capitulation. 
''  I  am,  General,  very  respectfully, 

"  Your  obedient   servant, 

''  John  S.   Bowen,  Alajor   General.  " 

The  opinions  of  General  Stevenson's  brigade  commanders  will  be 
found  in  that  officer's  report,  while  those  of  General  Forney's  are 
presented  in  the  appendix  to  this.  So  far  as  I  know,  not  a  solitary 
brigade  or  regimental  commander  favored  the  scheme  of  cutting  out, 
and  only  two,  whose  views  were  presented  to  me,  intimated' the  possi- 
bility of  making  more  than  one-half  of  their  command  available  for 
that  purpose.  With  this  unanimous  opinion  of  my  officers  against 
the  practicability  of  a  successful  evacuation,  and  no  relief  from 
General  Johnston,  a  surrender  with  or  without  terms,  was  the  only 
alternative  left  me.  I,  therefore,  addressed  the  following  note  to  Major 
General  Grant : 


63 

"  A^icKSBURG,  July  3d,  1863. 
*'  Major  General  Grant, 

'  '^Commandwg  U.  S.  Forces,  near  Vickshurg,  Miss.  : 
**  General  :  I  have  the  honor  to  propose  to  ycu  an  armistice  of 

hours,  with  a  view  to  arranging  terms  for  the  capitulation  of 

Yicksburg.  To  this  end,  if  agreeable  to  jou,  I  will  appoint  three 
commissioners  to  meet  a  like  number  to  be  named  by  yourself,  at  such 
place  and  hour  to-day  as  you  may  find  convenient.  I  make  this 
proposition  to  save  the  further  effusion  of  blood,  which  must  other- 
wise be  shed  to  a  frightful  extent,  feeling  myself  fully  able  to  main- 
tain my  position  for  a  yet  indefinite  period.  This  communication  will 
be  handed  you  under  a  flag  of  truce  by  Major  General  John  S, 
Bowen. 

"I  am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

•'  John  C.  Pemberton,  Lieut.  Gm.  commanding. " 

In  the  course  of  two  hours  the  annexed  reply  was  received : 

"  Headquarters  Department  of  the  Tennessee,  } 
Niar   Vickshurg,  July  3,   1863.         \ 
"  Lieutenant  General  John  C.  Pfmberton, 

^^ Commanding  Confederate  Forces,  etc.  : 

"  General:  Your  note  of  this  date  is  just  received,  proposing  an 
armistice  for  several  hours  for  the  purpose  of  arranging  terms  of 
capitulation  through  commissioners  to  be  appointed,  etc.  The  useless 
effusion  of  blood  you  propose  stopping  by  this  course,  can  be  ended 
at  any  time  you  may  choose,  by  an  unconditional  surrender  of  the 
city  and  garrison. 

*'  Men  who  have  shown  so  much  endurance  and  courage  as  those 
now  in  Vickshurg  will  always  challenge  the  respect  of  an  adversary, 
and  I  can  assure  you  will  be  treated  with  all  the  respect  due  to  pris- 
oners of  war.  I  do  not  favor  the  proposition  of  appointing  commis- 
sioners to  arrange  the  terms  of  capitulation,  because  I  have  no  terms 
other  than  those  indicated  above. 

**  I  am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient^servant, 

*'  U.   S.   Grant,  3Iajor  General.''^ 

Upon  the  return  of  General  Bowen  with  this  letter,  I  understood 
that  it  was  the  dosire  of  Major  General  Grant  to  have  a  personal  con- 
ference with  me,  and  this  being  agreed  to,  at  three  o'clock,  P.  M., 
accompanied  by  General  Bowen  and  Captain  Montgomery,  (then  sup- 
posed to  be  a  lieutenant  colonel,)  I  proceeded  to  the  lines,  where  I 
met  General  Grant,  surrounded  by  a  number  of  his  officers.  I  soon 
learned  that  there  was  a  mutual  misunderstanding  in  regard  to  the 
desire  for  this  interview,  and,  therefore,  informed  General  Grant  that 
if  he  had  no  terms  to  propose  other  than  were  contained  in  his  letter, 
the  conference  could  terminate  and  hostilities  be  resumed  imme- 
diately. After  some  further  conversation,  he  proposed  that  General 
Bowen  and  Captain  Mfntgomery,  and  two  of  his  s'.aff  officers.  Major 
Generals  McPherson  and  8raith,  should  retire,  consult,  and  suggest 
such  terms  as  they  might  think  proper  for  our  consideration. 

After  some  conversation  between  these  officers,  we  parted  with  the 


64 

understanding  that  General  Grant  would  communicate  with  me  by 
ten  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  about  that  hour  the  following  letter  was 
received  : 

*'  Headquarters  Dj-.partment  of  the  Tennessee,  > 
''Near  Vicksburg,  July  S,  1863.  3 

<•  Lieut.  Gen,  J.  C'  Pemberton, 

"  Cc.mmanding  Confederate  forces,  Vickshurg,  Miss.  : 
*'  General  :  In  conformity  with  agreement  of  this  afternoon,  I  will 
submit  the  following  proposition  for  the  surrender  of  the  city  cf 
Vicksburg,  public  stores,  etc.  On  your  accepting  the  terras  proposed, 
I  will  march  in  one  division  as  a  guard,  and  take  possession  at  eight 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  to-morrow.  As  soon  as  rolls  can  be  made  out  and  paroles 
signed  by  officers  and  men,  you  will  be  allowed  to  march  out  of  our 
lines,  the  officers  taking  with  them  their  side  arms  and  clothing,  and 
the  field,  staff  and  cavalry  officers,  one  horse  each.  The  rank  and  file 
will  be  allowed  all  their  clothing,  but  no  other  property.  If  these  con- 
ditions are  acccepted,  any  amount  of  rations  you  may  deem  necessary, 
can  be  taken  from  the  stores  you  now  have,  and  also  the  necessary  cook- 
ing utensils  for  preparing  them  ;  thirty  wagons,  also,  counting  two  two- 
horse  wagons  or  mule  teams  as  one,  will  be  allowed  to  transport  such 
articles  as  cannot  be  carried  along.  The  same  conditions  will  be  al- 
lowed to  all  sick  and  wounded  officers,  as  fast  as  they  become  able  to 
travel.  The  paroles  of  these  latter  must  be  signed,  however,  whilst 
officers  are  present  authorized  to  sign  the  roll  of  prisoners. 

"  I  am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  U.   S.  Grant,  Major  General.''^ 

This  letter  was  immediately  submitted  to  a  council  of  general  offi- 
cers. My  own  inclination  was  to  reject  those  terms ;  but,  after  some 
discussion,  I  addressed  Gen.  Grant  as  follows  : 

*'  Headquarters,  Vicksburg,  July  3,  1863. 

"  Major  General  IT.  S.  Grant, 

*'  Commanding  United  States  Forces,  etc,  : 
*'  General  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
communication  of  this  date,  proposing  terms  of  capitulation  for  this 
garrison  and  post.  In  the  main,  your  terms  are  accepted  ;  but,  in 
justice  both  to  tho  h^nor  and  spirit  of  my  troops,  manifested  in  the 
defence  of  A^icksburg,  I  have  to  submit  the  following  amendments, 
which,-  if  acceeded  to  by  you,  will  perfect  the  agreement  between  us: 
At  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  to  morrow,  I  propose  to  evacute  the  work  in 
and  around  Vicksburg,  and  to  surrender  the  city  and  garrison  under 
my  command  by  marching  out  with  my  colors  and  arms,  stacking  them 
in  front  of  my  present  lines,  after  which  you  will  take  possession  ;  offi- 
cers to  retain  their  side  arms  and  personal  property,  and  the  right 
and  property  of  citizens  to  be  respected. 

*'  I  am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

**  J.  C.  Pemberton, 
*'  Lieutenant  General  Commanding.** 
Early    on  the  morning    of   the  4th  the  following  reply  was  re- 
ceived : 


65 

*'  Headquarters  Department  of  the  Tennf.ssee,  ? 
'^  Before  Vickxhurg,  Sxx\y  4,  1863.  ) 
''  General  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
communication  of  3d  July.  The  amendments  proposed  by  you  cannot 
be  acceded  to  in  full.  It  will  be  necessary  to  furnish  every  officer 
and  man  with  a  parole,  signed  by  himself,  which,  with  the  completion 
of  the  roll  of  prisoners,  will  necessarily  take  some  time.  Again,  i 
■can  mak«  no  stipulations  with  regard  to  the  treatment  of  citizens  and 
their  private  property.  While  I  do  not  propo^5e  to  cause  them  any 
undue  annoyance  or  loss,  I  cannot  consent  to  have  myself  under  any 
restraint  by  stipulation. 

"  The  property  which  officers  will  be  allowed  to  take  with  them,  will 
be  as  stated  in  my  proposition  of  last  evening  ;  that  is,  officers  will  be 
allo";ved  their  private  baggage  and  side  arms,  and  mounted  officers  one 
horse  each.  If  you  mean,  by  your  proposition,  for  each  brigade  ta 
march  to  the  front  of  the  line,  now  occupied  by  it,  and  stack  arms  st 
ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  then  return  to  the  inside,  and  there  remain  as 
prisoners  until  properly  paroled,  I  will  make  no  objection  to  it. 
Should  no  notification  be  received  of  your  acceptance  of  ray  terms  by 
nine  o'clock,  A.  M.,  I  shall  regard  them  as  having  been  rejected,  an  i 
shall  act  accordingly.  Should  these  terms  be  accepted,  white  flags 
should  be  displayid  along  your  lines  to  prevent  such  of  my  troop:},  as 
may  not  have  been  notified,  from  firing  upon  your  men. 

*'  I  am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  obeclient  servant, 

"  U.  S.  Grant,  Major  General:' 
In  response  to  this  note,  I  immediately  despatched  the  following,  ac- 
cepting the  terms  of  surrender  as  modified  by  Gen.  Grant  : 

"Headquarters,  Vicksburg,  July  4,  1863 
"  Major  General  U.  S.  Grant, 

**  Commanding  Vnited  States  Forcen,  Sfc.  : 
"  General  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yo^ir 
communication  of  this  date,  and,  in  reply,  to  say  that  the  terms  pro- 
posed by  you  are  accepte<l. 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

**  Jno.  C.  Pemberton,  Lieut.  G:n:'' 
These  terms,  it  may  be  proper  to  add,  were  approved  by  every  di- 
vision and  brigade  commander,  with  but  one  exception,  (Brig.  Ger. 
Baldwin,)  who,  witbout'Offering  any  objection  to  them,  insisted  upon 
holding  out,  but  assigned  no  reason  for  it.  In  accordance  with  this 
agreement,  the  garrison  was  surrendered  at  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and 
the  Federal  forces  immediately  took  possession  of  our  works,  and 
placed  guards  in  the  city. 

If  it  should  be  asked  why  the  fourth  of  July  was  selected  as  the 
d'ay  for  the  surrender,  the  answer  is  obvious.  I  believed  that,  upon 
that  day,  I  should  obtain  better  terms.  Well  aware  of  the  vanity  of 
our  foes,  I  knew  they  would  attach  vast  importance  to  the  entrance, 
on  the  fourth  nf  .^-ily,  into  the  stronghold  of  the  great  river,  and 
that,  to  gratify  their  national  vanity,  they  would  yield  then  wha^ 
could  not  be  extorted  from  them  at  any  other  time.  This  question  p" 
time  was  also  discussed  by  a  council  of  my  general  officers,  and  my 
5 


66 

v:.ows  concurred  in.  The  assertion  that  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg 
was  compelled  by  the  want  of  subsistence,  or  that  the  garrison  was 
starved  out,  is  one  entirely  destitute  of  truth.  There  was,  at  no 
time,  any  absolute  suflfering  for  want  of  food  among  the  garrison. 

That  the  men  were  put  upon  greatly  reduced  rations,  is  undenia- 
k,!y  true  ;  but,  in  the  opinion  of  many  medical  officers,  it  is  at  least 
questionable  whether,  under  all  the  circumstances,  this  was  at  all  in- 
j'irious  to  their  health.  It  must  be  remembered  that,  for  forty-seren 
days  and  nights,  those  heroic  men  had  been  exposed  to  burning  surta, 
drenching  rains,  damp  fogs  and  heavy  dews,  and  that,  during  all  this 
period,  they  never  had,  by  day  or  by  night,  the  slightest  relief.  The 
extent  of  our  works  required  every  available  man  in  the  trenches,  and 
even  then  they  were,  in  many  places,  insufficiently  manned.  It  waa 
r.ot  in  ray  power  to  relieve  any  portion  of  the  line  for  a  single  hour. 
Confined  to  the  narrow  limits  of  a  trench,  with  their  limbs  cramped 
and  swollen,  without  exercise,  constantly  exposed  tof  a  murderous 
Sivi'in  of  bbot  and  sliell,  Avhile  the  enemy's  unerring  sharpshooters 
fitood  ready  to  pick  oil  every  man  visible  above'the  parapet,  is  it 
strange  that  the  men  grew  weak  and  attenuated?  They  had  made  a 
inost  heroic  defence. 

Many  had  met  death  with  a  smile  upon  their  lips  ;  all  had  cheerfully 
encountered  danger,  and,  almost  without  a  murmur,  had  borne  priva- 
tions and  hardships,  well  calculated  to  test  their  manhood.  They  had 
held  the  place  against  an  enemy  five  times  their  number,  admira- 
bly clothed  and  fed,  and  abundantly  supplied  with  all  the  appliances 
of  war.  Whenever  the  foe  attempted  an  assault,  they  drove  them 
tack  discomfited,  covering  the  ground  with  his  killed  and  wounded, 
tnd  already  had  they  torn  from  his  grasp  five  stands  of  colors,  as 
trophies  of  their  prowess,  (none  of  which  were  allowed  to  fall  agam 
i:ato  his  hands.) 

Knowing  the  anxious  desire  of  the  Government  to  relieve  Yicks- 
btirg,  I  felt  assured  that  if  within  the  compass  of  its  power,  the  siege 
would  be  raised;  but  when  forty-seven  days  and  nights  had  passed, 
with  the  knowledge  I  then  possessed  that  bo  adequate  relief  was  to 
k;o  expected,  I  felt  that  I  ought  not  longer  to  place  in  jeopardy  the 
h;ave  men  whose  lives  had  been  entrusted  to  my  care.  Hence,  after 
the  suggestion  of  the  alternative  of  cutting  my  way  out,  I  determined 
to  make  terms,  not  because  my  men  were  starved  out ;  not  because  I 
could  not  hold  out  yet  a  little  longer;  but  because  they  were  over- 
.powered  by  numbers,  worn  down  with  fatigue,  and  each  day  saw  our 
defences  crumbling  beneath  their  feet.  The  question  of  subsistence, 
therefore,  had  nothing  whatever  to  do  with  the  surrender  of  Vicks- 
hiiTg.  With  an  unlimited  supply  of  provisions  the  garrison  could  not,, 
fcr  the  reasons  already  given,  have  held  out  much  longer.  My  pre- 
vious dispatches  from  General  Johnston  had  not  made  me  very  san- 
guine of  relief,  and  his  dispatch  of  June  22d  was  not  calculated  to 
tender  me  more  hopeful.  He  said  :  "  General  Taylor  is  sent  to  Gen- 
eral E.  K.  Seaith  to  co-operate  with  you  from  the  west  bank  of  the 
nver,  to  throw  in  supplies  and  to  cross  with  his  force  if  expedient  and 
prp/33ticable.     I  will  have  the  means  .of  moving  towards  the  enemy  in 


67 

a  day  or  two,  and  will  try  to  make  a  deivorsion  in  your  favor,,  aad^.if 
possible,  communicate  with  you,  though  I  fear  my  force  is  too- small 
to  eflfect  the  latter.     If  1  can  do   nothing  to  relieve  you,  rather  than 
surrender  the  garrison,  endeavor  to  cross  the  river  at  the  last  moment, 
if  you  and  Gen    Taylor  can  communicate."    I  never  received  any  com- 
munication ft-om  Maj.  Gen.  Taylor  on  the  subject  of  co-operation,  nor 
had  I  any  knowledge  of  his  whereabouts  or  of  his  forces,  and  I  heard 
no  more  from  General  Johnston  until  the   lOth  of  July,  when  I  re- 
ceived his  dispatch  of  ihe  3d,  in  Vicksburg,  from  tho  bearer,  who 
had  been  several  days  confined  and  a  prisoner  to  the  Federal  autho- 
rities.    Had  I  received  General  Johnston's  dispatch  of  the  27th  of 
June,  in  which  he  encouraged   the  hope   that  both  Vicksburg  and  the 
garrison  might  be  saved,  I  would  have  lived  upon  an  ounce  a  day  and 
have  continued  to  meet  the  assaults  of  all  Grant's  army,  rather  than 
have  surrendered  the  city  until  General  Johnston  had  realized  or  re- 
lin'iuished  that  hope;  but  I  did  not  receive  liis  dispatch  until  the  21)th 
day  of  August,  in  Gainesville,  Alabama,  nor  had  I  the  most  remote 
idea  that  such  an  opinion  was.  entertained  by  General  Johnston ;  he 
had  for  weeks  ignored  its  possibility.      1  had  notified  him  on  the  loth 
June,  tliat  I  had  enough  to  subsist  my  array  for  yet  twenty  (20)  days,, 
but  he  held  out  no  hope  of  raising  the  siego.     On  the  25th  May, 
thirty-four  days  previous,  he  liad  informed  me  that  on  the  arrival  oif 
an  expected  division  from  Bragg's  army,  he  would  *'  move  to  me,"  I 
supposed  then,  with  ray  co-operation,  to  raise  the  siege.     No  subse-- 
quent  dispatch  frora  him  sustained  my  understanding  of  his  coramu-- 
aioation  ;    all,  without  exception,    of  later  date,    spoke  only   of  the 
possibility    of  extricating    the    garrison.     His  dispatch  of  July  3d,, 
received  by  me  six  days  after  tbe  capitulation,  held  out  no  such  hope;, 
and  lam  fully  «nd  entirely  satisfied  that  no  efficient  aid  would  have- 
been  given  me  even  to  effect  an  evacuation.     I  do  not  mean  nor  de- 
aire  to  be  understood  as  implying  that  it  might  have  been  given  me,. 
I  only  express  my  conviction  that  had  I  been  able  to  hold  the  enemy 
At  bay  for  yet  a  month,  I  do  not  believe,  anxious  as  I  was  to  co-ope- 
rato,  that  1  would  have  been  relieved  by  any  force  from  the  outside. 
In  a  dispatch  of  the    16th,  I   think,  for  I  have  not  the  copy,  I  sug- 
gested that  as  General  Johnston  deemed  it  impracticable  to  do  more 
than  by  possibility   relieve  the  garrison,  that  a  proposition  from  him 
for  an   evacuation   of  Vicksburg  might  ^be  favorably  entertained  b,^ 
General  Grant.     In  his  dispatch  of  the  27th,  already  alluded  to,  and 
previously  copied,  will  be  found  his   views  on  that  point.     This  dis- 
patch of  June  22d,  from  General  Johnston,  rendered  it  painfully  ap- 
parent, that  the  siege  could  not   be   raised,  (to  cross  the  Mississippi 
river,  as  suggested,  in    the  face   of  thp   enemy's  gunboats  and  land- 
batteries  was  an  imposibilfly,)  and,  unless   this  was   effected,  the  de- 
fence which  had  been  so  long  and   gallantly   maintained,  ceased  to  be 
of  any  practicable  utility.     Troud  as  1  was  of  my  brave  troops,  hon- 
oring them  aa  I  did  and  do,  for  the  courage,  fortitude  and  con.^^tancy 
they  had  po  nobly  displayed,  I  felt  that  it  would  be  an  act  of  cruel 
iahnsianity  to  subject  them  longer  to  the  terrible  ordeal  to  which,  for 


so  many  days  and  nights,  tliey  had  already  heen  exposed.  Brain  and 
sinew  will  alike  wear  out ;  the  bravest  may  bo  overpowered  by  num- 
bers, and  I  saw  no  advantage  to  be  gained  by  protracting  a  hopeles.? 
defence,  which  I  knew  must  be  attended  with  a  useless  waste  of  life 
and  blood.  I  had  then  to  choose  between  such  favorable  terms  as  I 
might  be  able  to  obtain  and  an  unconditional  surrender,  or  subject  the 
garrison  and  the  citizens,  including  hundreds  of  women  and  children, 
to  the  horrors  of  an  assault,  which  I  could  no  longer  hope  to  repel. 
Much,  and  I  think  unmerited,  obloquy  has  been  cast  upon  me  by  a 
■large  portion  of  the  public  press  for  an  imputed  failure  to  provide 
adequately  for  the  subsistence  of  the  garrison  of  Vicksburg  and  Port 
Hudson.  The  Government  and  my  immediate  superior,  perhaps  bet- 
ter informed  of  facts,  have,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  refrained  from  cen- 
sure, reserving  a  decision  until  a  full  investigation  shall  have 
determined  to  what  extent,  if  any,  it  is  deserved.  Immediately  on 
assuming  command  of  the  Department  of  Mississippi  and  EastLouis- 
iiana,  on  the  14th  of  October,  1862,  I  gave  my  earnest  and  unremit- 
:  ting  attention  to  the  reorganization  of  the  several  staff  departments, 
and  to  the  great  question  of  supplies.  It  is  unnecessary  to  speak  of 
the  confusion,  and  general  v/ant  of  system  which  prevailed.  I  foun<i 
most  of  the- district  commanders  exercising  the  authority  which  per- 
tained only-to  department  commanders,  or  to  a  general  commanding 
an  army  in  the*  field — each  appeared  to  be  in  a  great  measure  acting 
independently  'of  the  other.  To  some  considerable  extent  this  seemed 
to  be  necessary  under  the  existing  circumstances. 

Major   General  Van  Dorn  was   in  the  immediate  command  of  the 
•army  at  Holly  Springs,  and  it  naturally  engaged  most  of  his  atten- 
tion.    General  Bragg,  to  whose  department  the  geographical  districts 
just  organized  into  a  seperate  department  had  been  attached,  was  too 
far  removed  to  permit  him  to  give  his  personal  supervision.     It  re- 
sulted, almost  necessarily,  from    this  state  of   things,  that  but  little 
attention  had  been  given  to  the  accumulation  of  supplies.     No  depots 
of  importance  existed  within  the   limits  of  the  department,  nor  had 
any  measures  been  taken  to  establish  them.     Much  of  the  season  best 
'  suited  to  the  collection  of  stores  from  the  trans-Mississippi  had  gone 
''  by.     They  were  undoubtedly  abundant  there ;  but  my  command  did 
-Tiot   embrace  that 'district  of  country.     I  had    no  control  over   the 
' steauiboats  in  Red  river.  ♦It  was  one  thing  to  purchase  supplies,  but 
.  another  to  transport  them.     Most  of  the  boats  were  engaged  in  carry- 
ing sugar,  molasses  and  salt,  either  for  private  parties  or  for  the  Gov- 
ernment.    There  was  great  opposition  on  the  part  of  owners  at  every 
attempt  to  divert  them  from  these  purposes.     The  Government  was 
appealed  to,  against  what  was  styled  the^iolation  of  the  right  of  the 
citizen  by  the  military  authorities.     It  required  time  to  ascertain 
what  was  needed  to  be  done,  and  time  to  acqiiire  the  means  of  its  ac- 
complishment.    On   the    25th   October,    the    necessary   orders  were 
issued  to  procure  and  transport  supplies  from  the  parifahes  of  Point 
Coupee,  Concordia  and  Texas.    Major  Cuney,  then  chief  commissary, 
was  directed   to  confer  with  Lieutenant  Colonel  Broadwell,  agent  of 
.the  Commissary  General^  then  in  the  trans-Mississippi    department, 


6y 

but  to  make  arrangements  for  supplying  this  department,  without 
relying  upon  him.  Major  Dillon,  commissary  of  the  army  with 
Major  General  Van  Dorn,  was  directed  to  use  every  effort  to  suhsist 
it  from  the  northern  and  northwestern  counties.  For  several  months 
after  I  entered  upon  duty  in  the  department,  there  was  not  water 
enough  to  admit  of  the  passage  into  the  Mississippi  of  the  larger  boats, 
which  had  been  run  up  the  Yazoo  or  Red  river  for  safety.  As  early 
as  the  latter  part  of  October,  I  authorized  the  opening  of  the  raft  in 
the  Yazoo,  that  the  smaller  boats  might  pass  out.  Notwithstanding 
the  violent  opposition  of  private  parties,  very  many  of  them  were  im- 
mediately taken  either  into  tlie  permanent  employ  of  the  Government, 
or  chartered,  as  supplies  could  be  obtained.  The  transportation  of 
sugar  and  molasses,  owned  by  the  Government  and  by  speculators, 
interfered  materially  with  the  rapid  accumulation  of  other  sup- 
plies. When,  however,  about  the  1st  of  January,  the  larger  boats 
were  able  to  enter  the  Mississippi,  a  sufficient  number  was  at  once 
put  into  ^Requisition  for  Government  transportation,  and  a  largo 
amount  of  corn  and  bacon  was  thrown  into  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hud- 
son from  the  trans-Mississippi  department.  I  regret,  however,  to 
eay,  that  from  want  of  proper  care  and  energy  upon  the  part  of  those 
responsible  for  its  safe-keeping,  a  large  quantity  of  corn,  which  had 
been  landed  on  the  shore,  was  removed  so  slowly,  and  so  little  precaution 
used  to  secure  it  from  the  effects  of  the  hoav}'  rains  of  the  season, 
that  much  was  destroyed  by  that  cause  and  much  was  carried  off  by 
the  rapid  rist  of  the  river.  It  happened  that  just  at  this  time — about 
the  lUth  of  January — I  made  an  official  visit  to  Port  Hudson,  and  was 
myself  a  witness  of  the  consequences  of  this  neglect  at  that  point. 
On  the  14th  of  January,  I  adilressed  the  following  letter  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Broadwell,  agent  of  the  Commissary  General,  and  also  for 
my  department,  under  my  immediate  instructions  :  *'  Purchase  bacon 
for  this  department.  If  possible,  buy  several  million  pounds.*  Also 
send,  if  you  can,  a  few  thousand  live  hogs  to  Port  Hudson  and  Vicks- 
burg. If  the  present  navigation  should  be  interrupted,  try  "to  get  the 
hogs  across  the  river,  so  that  they  can  be  driven  to  the  interior  of  the 
State,  and  rendered  available  for  the  use  of  the  troops.  If  nothing 
better  can  be  done,  you  will  contract  witli  energetic  men,  to  get  from 
Texas,  two  or  three  hundred  wagons  loaded  with  bacon — the  meat  to 
be  paid  for  by  the  chief  of  subsistence  of  this  department,  the  trans- 
^rtation  settled  by  the  quartermaster,  and  the  wagons  and  teams 
taken  at  fair  valuation  by  the  Government.  You  had  better  attend  to 
salt  first,  to  bacon  next,  and  to  sugar  afterward.  You  are  properly 
accredited  to  commanding  generals  elsewhere,  who  are  requested  to 
assi^it  you  in  accomplishing  ray  wishes,  as  herein  indicated."  I  was 
extremely  desirous,  at  this  time,  to  procure  a  sufficient  supply  of  salt, 
to  enable  me  to  cure  bacon,  and  with  that  purpose,  an  order  was 
issged  prohibiting  the  exportation  of  hogs  from  the  department.  The 
difficulty  of  obtaining  salt  in  sufficient  quantity,  at  the  proper  sea- 
son, prevented  the  success  of  this  plan  te  any  great  extent.  Though 
extremely  anxious  at  this  time  to  puiriiase  all  the  meat  possible,  I 
did  not  think  it  advisable  to  make  large  purchases  of  corn  from  the 


70 

trans-Mississippi,  for  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson,  and  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Broadwell  was  so  notified.  It  has  already  been  shown  that 
the  large  amount  at  Port  Hudson  had  not  been  properly  secured,  and 
more  was  still  being  delivered.  The  enemy's  attempt  on  Vicksburg, 
via  Chickasaw  Bayou,  had  just  signally  failed,  and  his  troops  been 
withdrawn  and  re-embarked.  Before  the  1st  of  January,  supplies 
from  Deer  Creek  aiid  Sunflower  could  not  be  brought  down,  owing  to 
the  low  stage  of  water;  and  when  the  rise  of  those  streams  admitted 
of  their  being  landed  at  Snyder's  Mills,  the  character  of  the  soil  and 
roads  over  which  wagons  must  pass,  Avas  such  as  to  render  transporta- 
tion almost  utterly  impracticable.  I  had,  however,  appropriated  one 
hundred  wagons  for  that  especial  purpose. 

In  a  comn:unication,  dated  February  26th,  General  Stevenson 
says  :  '*  During  wet  weather  we  cannot  use  the  dirt  road  from 
Haines'  Bluff  to  this  poir,t,  (Vicksburg.)  The  passage  of  our  train  of 
over  one  hundred  wagons  would  render  it  impassable  in  one  day. 
Besides,  not  being  able  to  haul  more  than  a  quarter  loai  it  would 
prevent  its  being  kept  in  good  order.  To  relieve  it  at  such  times, 
grain  should  be  obtained  by  railroad,  but  it,  as  now  managed,  cannot 
be  relied  on."-  There  was  an  abundance  of  corn  in  the  depaitment, 
but  in  very  many  instances  planters  refused  to  sell,  except  for  cash 
payments,  and  the  great  delay  in  forwarding  funds  embarrassed  me 
exceedingly.  On  the^Oth  January,  I  telegraphed  as  follows  to  the 
Honorable  Secretary  of  War  :  "  Unless  funds  are  sent  immediately 
to  Major  Theodore  Johnston,  chief  commissary  subsistence  depart- 
ment, the  army  cannot  be  supplied.  Estimates  have  been  forwarded. 
Please  have  money  sent  at  once."  During  this  time  stores  in  large 
quantities  were  being  rapidly  collected  at  various  depots,  but  the  dif- 
ficulty of  transportation,  owing  to  the  wretched  condition  of  the 
Southern  railroad,  the  obstacles  that  were  continually  thrown  in  the 
way  by'railroad  authorities,  and  the  clamor  raised  at  any  attempt  of 
mine  to  make  private  interests  subservient  to  Government  necessities, 
had  the  effect  of  preventing  effectually  the  rapid  accumulation  of  sup- 
plies. Positive  prohibition  had  been  issued  from  the  War  Depart- 
ment against  the  interference  of  commanding  generals  or  other  officers 
with  railroad  transportation.  Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  this 
prohibition,  I  telegraphed  the  Adjutant  and  Inspector  General,  Rich- 
mond :  "If  I  cannot  control  the  railroads  in  this  department  the 
business  of  the  department  and  subsistence  of  the  troops  will  fail# 
I  beg  that  Colonel  Wadley  may  be  sent  here  at  once."  Arrange- 
ments had  been  made,  as  already  stated,  as  fully  as  the  means  at 
my  disposal  would  admit,  to  transfer  supplies  from  Snjder's  mills  to 
Vicksburg  ;  and  the  chief  of  subsistence  was  positively  directed  to 
i-keep  constantly  on  hand  a  supply  for  not  less  than  sixty  days. 
Similar  instructions  were  given  to  the  chief  quartermaster  of  the 
department.  Every  possible  effort  was  made  to  carry  out  my  orders. 
If  I  failed  in  the  full  accomplishment  of  my  wishes,  it  was  from  cir- 
cumstances utterly  beyond  xm  control.  It  must  be  remembered  that 
almost  continuous  movements  of  troops  and  ordnance  were  necessary, 
dn  consequence  of  the, persistent  efforts  of  the  enemy  from  about  the 


71 

middle  of  December  to   the  date  of  the  investment  of  Vicksbur:; 

About  the  10th  of  February,  the  enemy  began  his  movement 
through  the  YazOo  Pass.  None  but  our  smallest  boats  could  be 
employed  in  the  upper  waters.  From  this  date  until  the  enemy  aban- 
doned his  designs,  not  only  by  the  Pass  and  Tallahatchie,  but  also  by 
the  Sunflower  and  Deer  creek,  the  boats  which  were  employed  iu 
bringing  down  supplies  from  those  small  streams,  were  frequently 
and  necessarily  diverted  to  the  transportation  of  troops  and  the  muni- 
tions of  war.  Early  in  February,  also,  the  enemy  succeeded  in  pass- 
ing two  of  his  gunboats  by  our  batteries  at  Vicksburg.  This  f?,t 
once  rendered  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  and  Red  rivers  dan- 
gerous, and  from  tliat  time  forth  it  was  only  by  watching  opportunr 
ties,  and  at  great  ri?k  of  capture  that  ^^upplies  could  be  thrown  int) 
Port  Hudson  and  Vicksburg.  Nevertheless  large  amounts  were  suc- 
cessfully introduced  into  both  places,  (into  the  latter  via  Big  Black  ) 
Port  Hudson,  however,  received  much  the  larger  portion,  being  easier 
of  access.  In  addition  to  the  efforts  made  by  agents  under  my  ow:^ 
instructions  to  supply  Port  Hudson,  the  chief  of  subsistence  of  the 
department  was  ordered,  on  the  18th  of  February,  to  furnish  Mnj.ir 
General  Gardner's  commissary  with  ample  funds  to  meet  the  deman-M 
of  the  service.  About  the  midiUe  of  the  same  month,  believing  it." 
to  be  highly  probable  that  not  only  the  subsistence  of  my  own  army, 
but  also  that  of  General  Bragg's.  might  be  dependent  upon  thy 
supplies  of  the  country  intersected  by  the  Mobile  antl  Ohio  rail 
road,  I  issued  positive  orders  that  neither  grain  nor  meat  shoulJ 
be  allowed  to  leave  the  department  by  that  road.  The  conditio^ 
of  the  Southern  railroad  daily  growing  worse,  in  consequence  d 
the  heavy  rains  and  its  light  structure,  every  effort  was  made  on 
my  part  to  aid  the  managers  in  its  speedy  and  effectual  repair 
A  communication  urging  its  importance  in  a  militiry  point  of 
view  was  addres.-ed  to  his  Excellency  the  Governor  the  State,  on 
the  2t)th  of  February,  asking  his  assistance;  by  the  impressment  cf 
hegroes  to  labor  on  it,  the  vice  president  having  informed  me  thit 
planters  would  not  hire  their  hands. 

On  the  28th  of  February  and  on  the  2d  of  March,  instructions 
were  again  sent  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Broadwell,  to  purchase  a".! 
the  "ueat  possible  at  the  price  suggested  by  him,  and  notified 
also  that  beef  could  be  crossed  safely  and  to  send  forward  all  by 
could  control. 

March  lat,  Brigadier  (Jeneral  Buggies  was  directed  by  tele- 
graph as  follows  :  "  You  must  give  every  possible  assistance  ia 
procuring  within  your  district,  all  the  corn,  beeves,  bacon,  or 
ealted  pork,  that  can  be  had  and  forward  as  rapidly  as  posssible  for 
army  at  Vicksburg.  Purchase  from  planters  at  the  lowest  price 
you  can,  and  impress  all  in  hands  of  speculators  at  same  rate.  * 
About  same  time  Major  General  Taylor,  commanding  west  Louisi- 
ana, was  respectfully  urged  to  have  all  the  beeves,  bacon,  and 
BaltcJ  pork  possible  forwarded,  and  it  gives  me  much  pleasure  to 
add  that  I  am  greatly  indebted  to  hi^  active  exertions,  as  well  aa 
to  Jjieutenant  Colonel  Broadwell  for  large  supplies  of  corn  and  meai. 


72 

On  the  SSrd  of  March  the  following  letter  was  received  from  Lieu- 
tanant  Colonel  Brodwell : 

"  Alexandria,  La.,  March  17,  18G3. 
"  General  :  Four  steamboats  arrived  here  to  day  from  Shreveport 
and  Jefierson,  loaded  chiefly  with  corn;  one  of  them  had  300,0()iJ 
pounds  bacon.  Three  others,*  the  'Charm,'  'Texas'  and  'Frolic,' 
are  reported  coming  down  with  loads.  Five  others,  the  '  Falls  City,' 
'Louisville,'  'Starlight,'  '  General  Hodges '"  and  '  Mina  ISims,' are 
.  below  here  with  full  cargoes,  designed  for  Port  Hudson,  but  the ' 
Federal  gunboats  are  reported  blockading  this  river.  Great  God  ! 
how  unfortunate.  We  must  try  to  get  cattle  to  Bowman's  Landing, 
fifteen  miles  back  of  Waterproof,  and,  if  possible,  swim  them  at  the  lat- 
ter point.  But  the  cattle  here  are  thin  and  may  be  unfit  for  beef  when 
they  arrive  on  the  other  side.  In  fact,  it  is  doubtful  whether  many 
of  tliem  ever  get  through  the  swamps  and  bayous  through  which 
they  are  required  to  pass  on  this  side.  As  the  water  declines,  I  think 
i:  likely  that  cattle  in  large  quantities  can  be  crossed  over  by  swim- 
ming, but  at  present,  the  prospect  of  your  getting  supplies  from  this 
tide  is  gloomy  enough.  With  the- hope.  General,  that  the  suspension 
of  steamboat  navigation  will  embarrass  you  less  than  is  now  appre- 
hended, 

^'  Very  respectfully,  etc., 

"W.  A.  Broadwell." 
On  the  day  of  its  receipt  the  above  letter  was  referred  to  Major 
Iheodore  Johnston,  chief    of   subsistence,  for  his  information,  and 
was  returned  with  the  following  endorsement : 

"  Office  Chief  of  Subsistence,      ^ 
"  Dqyariment  Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana,  } 
"Jackson,  March  24,    1863.       ) 
'■  Respectfully  returned.     The  following  boats  have  arrived  out  of 
Eed    river    and    have    discharged   their    cargoes   at    Port    Hudson : 
'  Frolic,'  corn,  to  A.  Q.  M,  ;   '  Bed  Chief,'  corn,  to  A.  C.  S.  ;  '  Louis 
Bor,' corn,  to  A.   Q.   M.  ;  'Starlight,'  corn,  to  A.   C.    S. ;  'Trent," 
corn,  to  A.   C.   S. ;  'Indian,'  corn,  to  A.  C.  S,  ;  *  Drover,'  corn,  to 
A.  C.  S.  ;  '  T.   D.   Iline,'  bacon,   hogs,  beef,  &c.,  &c.     The   steamer 
'  General  Hodges,'  spoken  of,  discharged  her  cargo  at  Alexandria. 
The  '  Louisville  'had  20,001)  bushels  corn.     The  '  Falls  City  '  turned 
over  ail  her  cargo,  except  350  barrels  molasses,  to  steamer  '  T.  D. 
Hine.'     Lieutenant  Cammack  left  Alexandria  on  the    18th  instant, 
oae  day  later  than  the  communication  from  Colonel  Broadwell. 

"  Theodore  Johnston, 
"  Major  and  Chief  of  Subsistence," 
Evidence   of    a  similar  character,   all  showing  the   constant  and 
earnest  efforts  made  by  myself  and   my  officers   to   secure   an    ample 
store   of    subsistence   for    Vicksburg   and    Port    Hudson,    could   be 
adduced  to  an  indefinite  extent,  but   to  give  the  whole  would  swell 
'  this  report  to    a    huge    volume.     I    content  myself,  therefore,  with 
throwing  a  number  of  letters,  orders,  telegrams,  &c.,  on   this  subject 
into  an  appendix. 

In  the  month  of  March,  I  was  in  the  receipt  of  a  number  of  letters, 


73 

from  respectable  citizens,  containing  suggestions  tliat  were  frequently 
valuable,  but  unfortunately  they  were  such  as  should  have  been  made 
months  before,  and  some  of  them  at  a  time  wlien  I  vras  not  in  the 
Department.  But  these  suggestions,  whether  timely  and  valuable  in 
themselves  or  not,  were  rendered  woi  thless  to  me  by  reason  of  the 
then  active  military  operations  on  the  Yazoo  river  and  its  tributaries, 
which  were  constantly  diverting  all  of  my  boats  from  the  important 
duty  of  transporting  subsistence  to  the  indispensable  service  of 
transporting  troops  and  munitions  of  war.  This  was  also  the  case, 
in  many  instances,  where  provisions  were  offered  me  by  citizenp.  I 
was  offered  supplies  of  corn  and  meat,  but  at  a  time  when,  from  the 
proximity  of  the  enemy  and  other  causes,  it  was  utterly  impracticable 
for  .me  to  make  them  available.  In  this  connection,  I  cannot  forbear 
saying  that,  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten  where  subsistence  was  gfT^•red 
me,  the  offer  carried  with  it  a  demand  for  transportation,  which  it  was 
entirely  out  of  my  power  to  furnish.  To  have  made  purchases  under 
such  circumstances  would  have  been  simply  ridiculous.  A  cargo  of 
bacon,  which  had  been  run  up  Choctaw  Bayou,  on  the  18th  April,  to 
avoid  the  enemy's  gunboats  on  Red  river,  was,  by  the  energetic  exer- 
tions of  Mr.  Howell  Hinds,  of  Jefferson  county,  Mississippi, 
successfully  transported  from  the  bayou  across  the  river  to  Port 
Gibson.  I  was  extremely  anxious  to  get  this  meat  to  Port  Hudson, 
but  the  difficulties  of  transportation  prevented  ;  and,  before  it  could 
be  removed  by  General  Bowcn  to  a  point  of  safety,  it  became  neces- 
sary to  destroy  much  of  it  to  prevent  its  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  In  this  connection  I  again  refer  to  the  fact  that,  when  I  was 
compelled  to  abandon  Snyder's  Mills,  there  was  at  least  311,000 
bushels  of  corn  at  that  place.  I  mention  this  to  show  that  there  was 
uo  deficiency  of  corn  in  the  department,  but  that  the  great  and, 
indeed,  insuperable  obstacle  was  the  want  of  transportation  by  dirt 
road,  and  the  almost  constant  and  daily  interruption  of  railroad  com- 
munication on  the  Southern  road,  which  was  the  only  means  of 
transportation  of  subsistence  to  Vicksburg.  I  think  I  have  now 
sliown  conclusively  that  I  spared  no  exertions  to  have  Vicksburg  and 
Port  Hudson  abundantly  provisioned,  and  that  whenever  the  supply 
fell  short  of  the  demand,  or  of  my  expectati'ns,  it  was  caused  by 
circumstances  wholly  beyond  my  control.  In  this  connection  I  may 
add  that  I  had,  at  the  time  cf  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg,  about 
40,000  pounds  of  pork  and  bacon,  which  had  been  reserved  for  the 
subsistence  of  my  troops  in  the  event  oF  attempting  to  cut  my  way 
out  of  the  city.  Also,  51,241  pounds  of  rice,  5,000  bushels  of  peas, 
1  1 2,2154  pounds  of  sugar,  3,240  pounds  of  soap,  527  poun<ls  of  tallow 
candles,  27  pounds  of  star  candles,  and  428,000  pounds  of  salt. 

Much  unticcessary  clamor  has  been  raised  about  the  want  of  ammu- 
nition ;  that  it  was  large,  and  that  the  principal,  indeed,  t^e  only  de- 
ficiency was  in  musket  caps.  The  appendix  devoted  to  the  subject  of 
ordnance  will  demonstrate  that  I  am  not  responsible  for  that  defi- 
ciency, whatever  its  otent  may  have  been.  I  therefore  beg  special 
attention  to  my  telegrams  to  Colonel  Gorgas,  of  the  Ordnance  De- 
partment,  for  ordnance  and  ammunition,    commenced    as    early    as 


74 

November,  within  three  weeks  after  I  assumed  command  of  the  De- 
partment, and  they  were  continued  persistently  up  to  almost  the  last 
hour  of  uninterrupted  communication  with  Richmond.  I  believe  that 
the  Chief  of  Qrdnanco  furnished  me  with  every  thing  in  his  power, 
I  only  desire  that  I  may  not  be  held  responsible  for  what  the  Govern- 
ment could  not  furnish  I  am  unable,  as  yet,  to  give  full  reports  of 
the  casualties  at  Baker's  Creek,  Big  Black,  and  during  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg.  They  will  be  forwarded  so  soon  as  division  commanders 
shall  have  rendered  them  complete.  The  same  with  refer^ce  to  ord- 
nance and  ordnance  stores.  Very  many  officers  and  soldiers  have 
distinguished  themselves  by  particular  acts  of  gallantry,  or  have  ren- 
dered themselves  conspicuous  by  untiring  exertion  and  devotion  to 
duty.  So  many  indeed,  as  to  preclude  the  possibility  of  my  referring 
to  each  in  the  body  of  this  report.  Attention  is  therefore  rerpectfully 
invited  to  the  appendix,  and  to  the  reports  of  division,  brigade  and 
other  commanders. 

I  cannot,  however,  close  without  expressing  my  especicial  thanks 
to  Major  Generals  C.  L.  Stevenson,  John  II.  Forney,  and  M.  L.  Smith, 
and  to  Brigadier  Generals  Barton,  Cumraings,  Lee,  and  Colonel  A. 
W.  Reynolds,  of  General  Stevenson's  division  ;  to  Major  General  For- 
ney's brigade  commanders;  Brigadier  Generals  Ilebert  and  Moore  ;  to 
Major  General  M.  L.  Smith's  brigade  commanders  Brigadier  Generals 
Shoupe,  Baldwin  and  Vaughan  ;  to  Colonels  Gates,  Dockcry  and 
Cockrell,  of  Bowen's  division,  and  to  Colonel  Higgins,  commanding 
the  heavy  batteries,  and  Colonfel  Waul  of  the  Texas  legion.  If  the 
most  unremitting  attention  to  the  arduous  duties  of  their  position  en» 
title  officers  to  commendation  and  respect,  they  Ijave  each  and  all  won 
it  during  the  protracted  and  trying  siege.  To  Major  General  C.  L. 
Stevenson,  I  am  particularly  indebted  for  much  and  valuable  aid  in 
many  ways,  during  the  siege.  To  his  immediate  supervision  was  prin- 
cipally entrusted  the  subsistence  of  the  troops. 

To  the  officers  of  my  staff  I  return  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  cheer- 
ful and  zealous  manner  in  which  they  have  discharged  all  their  duties. 
Colonel  Thomas  H.  Taylor,  who  accompanied  me  in  the  field  at 
Baker's  Creek,  and  who,  during  the  siege,  was  assigned  to  duty  as 
inspector  general  and  commandant  of  the  post,  in  both  capacities  ren- 
dered most  valuable  service.  Major  Jacob  Thompson,  inspector  gen- 
eral of  the  department,  also  accompanied  me  on  the  field,  and  on  that 
occasion,  as  on  all  others,  whether  in  the  office  or  in  the  active  per- 
formance of  the  duties  of  his  department,  has  ever  shown  himself 
zealous  and  competent.  Major  Thompson,  immediately  after  the  re- 
treat into  Vicksburg,  was,  in  company  with  Major  Sprague,  dispa'tched 
to  communicate  personally  with  General  Johnston.  Major  R.  W. 
Memminger,  I.  and  A.  A.  G.  and  chief  of  staff',  and  Major  W.  H. 
McCurdle,  A.  A.  G.,  have  for  many  months  been  in  the  constant  perr 
formance  oV  the  arduous  and  responsible  duties  pertaining  to  the  Adr 
jutant  General's  department.  It  is  little  to  say  that  on  these  officers, 
assisted  by  second  lieutenant  F,  M.  Stafford,  C.  S.  A.  and  A.  A.  A. 
G.,has  devolved  a  labor  and  an  amount  of  business  scarcely  equalled 
in  any  other  military  department  of  the  Confederacy ;  day  and  night 


75 

they  have  devoted  themselves  to  the  public  service,  and  I  specially 
commend  them  and  Maj,  J.  Thompson  to  the  favorable  consideration  of 
the  Government.  No  officer  in  the  department  has  been  more  con- 
stantly and  actively  engaged  than  Major  Samuel  Lockett,  chief  engi- 
neer. His  professional  skill  and  excellent  judgment  have  been  ex- 
hibited wherever  occasion  required  it,  from  Grenada  to  Port  Hudson. 
During  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  none  exposed  themselves  more  fear- 
lessly to  danger  than  he  and  his  gallant  assistants,  Captains  Pow- 
hatan Robinson,  James  Cooper,  J.  J.  Conway,  D.  Winter  and  Jamea 
Hagan,  and  Lieutenants  E.  W.  McMahon,  W.  0.  Flynn,  Geo.  Don- 
ellen,  W.  A.  Gloster,  Southard,  Blessing  and  Mr.  Geridar.  It  gi^^es 
me  pleasure  to  name  them,  and  to  ask  a  recognition  of  their  merits. 
I  consider  myself  to  have  been  particularly  fortunate  in  the  selection 
of  chief  quartermaster  of  the  department  of  Mississippi  and  East 
Louisiana.  Maj.  L.  Mims  entered  upon  the  duties  of  that  office  imme- 
diately on  my  assuming  command,  and  has  proved  himself  eminently 
qualified  for  the  position  ;  his  energy  and  capacity  I  have  rarely  seen 
equalled.  I  believe  no  man  could  have  done  more  with  the  means  at 
his  (lii^posal.  Maj.  Mims  was  greatly  aided  by  that  most  excellent  and 
efficient  officer,  i\Iaj.  Geo.  Whitfield,  quartermaster  in  charge  of  trans- 
portation department.  Maj.  Theo  Johnston,  chief  of  subsistence,  has 
been  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  provide  for  so  largo  a  command  ;  he  had 
great  difficulties  to  contend  with,  and  generally  has  met  them  suc- 
cessfully. I  am  also  greatly  indebted  to  Major  A.  B.  Cook,  my  chief 
pajma?ter,  for  the  ability  and  energy  he  has  displayed  in  the  execu- 
tion of  the  business  of  his  office.  To  Major  G.  L.  Gillespie,  chief 
commissary  of  the  army  during  siege,  I  owe  my  thanks  ;  much  is  due 
to  his  energy  and  good  judgment ;  also  to  Major  Orme,  General  Ste- 
venson's chief  quartermaster.  Surgeon  E.  H.  Bryan,  acting  medical 
director  of  the  army  of  Vicksburg,  accompanied  mo  on  the  field,  per- 
formed all  his  duties  there  and  during  the  siege  to  my  entire  satisfac- 
tion. Captain  Bruce,  ordnance  store-keeper,  displayed  great  ability 
and  devotion  to  duty  during  the  siege.  lie  was  everywhere  he  shouhl 
have  been,  and  was  emphatically  the  right  man  in  the  right  place. 

Colonel  C.  A.  Fuller,  Inspector  of  Heavy  Artillery,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  I.  S.  Saunlers,  P.  A.,  chief  of  artillery  of  the  department, 
performed  their  respective  duties  satisfactorily,  and  Colonel  Saunders 
accompanied  me  on  the  field,  where  he  rendered  me  valuable  service. 
Colonel  W.  T.  Withers,  chief  of  fiield  artillery  with  the  army,  was 
active  and  attentive  to  his  duties  and  prompt  in  the  execution  of 
orders.  In  addition  to  his  duties  as  chief  of  artillery,  Colonel 
Withers  continued  in  the  comraan«l  of  his  regiment ;  he  also  accom- 
panied me  on  the  field.  Captain  C.  McRae  Selph,  A.  A.  G.,  on  duty 
with  Colonel  T,  II.  Taylor,  was  of  great  assistance  to  that  excellent 
officer,  more  particularly  during  the  siege;  he  also  accompanied  me 
on  the  field,  and  was  constantly  engaged  in  the  transmission  of  orders. 
To  my  personal  staff,  Lieutenant  J.  II.  Morrison,  A.  D,  C.  ;  Lieu- 
tenant J.  C.  Taylor,  A.  D.  C.  ;  and  Lieutenant  II.  C.  Tupper, 
twenty-fourth  regiment  Mississippi  volunteers  and  A,  D.  C,  I  am 
greatly   indebted,  aot  only  for  service  on  the  field,  but  for  much 


76 

laborious  duty  in  the  office,  and  I  commend  them  to  the  favorable 
consideration  of  the  Government.  Captain  L.  M.  Montgomery, 
being  unable  to  reach  the  trans-Missis-sippi  department,  to  which  he 
had  been  assigned,  tendered  his  services  as  volunteer  aid-de-carap  ;  I 
found  him  an  energetic  and  gallant  ofiiccr  and  a  most  valuable 
assistant.  To  him  and  to  Major  S'.urges  Sprague,  volunteer  aid-de- 
camp, v.'ho  also  accompanied  me  on  the  field  and  was  constantly 
engaged  in  the  transmission  of  orders,  I  tender  my  sincere  thanks  ;  • 
also,  to  Captain  James  Cooper,  fourteenth  Mississippi,  who  served 
me  as  volunteer  aid-dc-cnmp  on  the  occasion  of  the  battle  of  Baker's 
Creek.  Captain  Barclay  and  Lieutenant  Wilkinson,  of  Bowen's 
division,  with  fifty  brave  fellows  of  that  command,  are  entitled  to 
special  mention  fjr  their  gallant  conduct  on  the  night  of  the  30th  of 
May,  in  burning  the  sunken  gunboat  Cincinnati,  which  they  accom- 
plished as  far  as  was  practicable  with  an  iron-clad  vessel  in  her 
condition.  They  brought  off  her  flag,  which  I  presented  to  them. 
My  thanks  are  also  due  to  the  following  officers  and  men,  who  ren- 
dered valuable  service  in  transmitting  dispatches  through  the  enemy's 
lines  to  and  from  General  Johnston,  viz  :  Captains  Hill,  Saulcrs  and 
Cooper;  Lieutenant  G.  D.  Wise;  Lieutenant  Smith,  of  the  twentieth 
Mississippi  regiment ;  and  privates  Walker  and  McKeinaw,  of  John- 
son's cavalry ;  Lamar  Fontaine,  a  discharged  soldier,  and  private  W. 
II.  Webb,  of  the  twentieth  Mississippi  regiment,  who  twice 
.successfully  passed  from  Vicksburg  to  General  Johnston's  headquar- 
ters. Sergeant  Thomas  P,  Lynch,  first  Louisiana  artillery, 
commanding  the  river  police,  by  his  vigilance  and  activity,  lendered 
most  valuable  services  tIirou;:hout  the  siese,  and  is  entitled,  as  he 
deserves,  the  consideration  of  the  Government.  Sergeant  R.  H. 
Garner,  company  K,  twenty-third  Alabama  regiment,  was  conspicuous 
for  his  personal  gallantry  at  Baker's  Creek.  The  men  at  a  gun 
having  been  all  disabled,  he  served  the  piece  alone,  firing  from  ten  to 
fifteen  rounds.  Ordnance  Sergeant  W.  T.  Luckett  was  also  distin- 
guished for  his  coolness  and  daring,  and  was  killed  while  carrying 
ammunition  through  a  very  heavy  fire.  Private  Padie,  of  the 
nineteenth  "Arkdrusas,  was  also  conspicuous  for  his  heroic  bearing. 
Constantly  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  always  in  advance  of  his 
regiment,  unheeding  the  orders  to  retire,  his  gallantry  won  universal 
admiration.  To  D.  H.  Hugett,  of  the  engineer  corps,  my  thanks  are 
due.  On  the  19th  of  May,  I  dispatched  him  to  Richmond,  with  maps 
and  valuable  papers.  In  the  face  of  many  obstacles,  he  succeeded  in 
passing  the  enemy's  lines  and  successfully  discharged  his  mission. 
Major  J.  D.  Bradford,  Assistant  Inspector  General,  is  entitled  to  my 
thanks  for  valuable  and  important  services  on  several  occasions,  and 
1  regret  that  I  was,  by  his  illness  at  the  time  of  the  investment, 
deprived  of  them  during  the  siege, 

I  cannot  close  this  report  without  brief  tribute  to  the  memory  of 
two  of  the  best  soldiers  in  the  Confederate  service.  I  refer  to  Major 
General  John  S.  Bowen  and  Brigadier  General  Martin  E.  Green. 
Always  faithful,  zealous  and  brave,  they  fell,  as  became  them,  in  the 
discharge  of  their  duty.     General  Green  died,  with  a  bullet  in  his 


i  I 


brain,  upon  the  lines  he  had  so  long  and  so  gallantly  defendeu. 
General  Bowen,  having  passed  scatheless  through  the  bloody  scenes 
of  Shiloh,  luka,  Corinth,  Grand  Gulf,  Port  Gibson,  Baker's  Creek 
and  Yicksbikrg,  perished  by  disease  on  the  inarch  from  Vicksburg  to 
Jackson,  aftei°the  capitulation.  I  can  utter  no  higher  eulogium  upon 
him  than  to  say  he  always    performed  his  duty  and  never  avoided 

danger. 

Resrectfullv,  vour  obedient  servant, 

'    '  J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 

Lkuicnant  General. 


At»tENDlX    A. 


CORRESPOXDENCE   RELATIVE   TO  SUBSISTENCE. 


Jackson,  April  22,  IS63. 
Major  R.  W.  Memminger,  A.  A.  G.: 

Major  :  .The  management  of  the  commissariat  at  Port  Hudson  is 
unsatisfactory.  The  facts  are  as  follows.  Major  J.  P.Carr  reports  on 
hand,  15th  of  March  : 

Rations  of  bulk  pork,         -         -         -         393,750 
Rations  of  bacon,       -         ^         *         -         627,561) 


1,021,310  and  1,674  hogs. 

On  hand,  as  per  report  31st  of  March  : 

Rations  of  "bulk  pork, 371,132 

nations  of  bacon, 622,132    993,264 


(Hogs  slaughtered,  and  included  in  report  of  bulk  pork.) 

On  hand,  as  per  report  15th  of  April  : 
Rations  of  bulk  pork,         -         »         -         -         -        3,760 
Rations  of  bacon, -    460,000  463,760 


Difference  in  fifteen  (15)  days,   .         -         -         -     529,504  rations. 
Bacon  and  pork, if  issued  exclusively,  for  fifteen  days,    197,640       '* 

Remaining  unaccounted  for,       ^         -         -         -      331,864       " 

Major  Carr,  as  will  be  seen,  reports,  on  the  15th  of  March  : 
Rations,  ..-..-..         1,021,310 

On  hand,  1,674  hogs. 

Between  the  15th  and  31st  of  March,  the  1,674  hogs 
were  slaughtered,  which,  at  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds 
each,  (a  small  average,)  and  three-quarters  of  a  pound 
to  the  ration,  would  make,      .         -         -         _         -  334,800 


1,356,110 

On  the  17th  of  April,  I  addressed  Major  Carr,  as  follows  : 

•'  Your  telegraphic  to-day  gives  but  eighteen  hundred  and  eighty 


7» 

pounds  of  pork.     Is  that  all  you  have  ?     There  is  a  decrease,  accord 
ing  to  your  report,  of  five  hundred  and  twenty-nine  thousand  five  hun- 
dred and  four  rations  of  bacon  and  bulk  pork  within  the  last  fifteen 
days.     Is  not  this  an  error  ?" 

The  following  is  Major  Carrs  reply  : 

"  The  last  report  is  correct ;  that  of  the  first  was  bungled  by  clerk, 
and  is  a  large  over-estimate.  In  next  report  there  will  be  a  heavy 
deduction  for  loss  in  estimated  weight  of  hogs." 

I  have,  in  a  communication  to  Major  Wheadon,  chief  commissary 
of  General  Gardner,  insisted  that  a  depot  commissary  be  assigned  to 
duty  at  Port  Hudson.  He  has  assigned  Major  Carr  r:nd  Captain 
J.  P.  Jones  as  post  commissary. 

If,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Lieutenani;  General  commanding,  any  ac- 
tion is  necessary,  I  would  be  pleased  to  have  an  investigation,  or- 
something  done  which  will  prevent  a  repetition  or  continuation  of 
such  a  condition  of  things  as  has  for  some  time  existed  at  that  post. 
I  cannot  determine  where  the  fault  lies;  but  the  facts  are  as  stated. 
Under  date  of  April  5th,  Major  Carr  saj'-s  :  "  The  issues  have  been 
of  pork  and  bacon,  for  the  greater  part  of  the  time,  at  three-fourths  of 
a  pound  to  the  ration,  by  order  of  General  Gardner."  I  respectfully 
request  that  General  Gardner  be  desired  to  revoke  his  order.  One- 
half  pound  per  day  is  all  that  has  been  issued  for  many  months  in 
this  department.  Ux  Virginia,  one-fourth  of  a  pound,  only,  is  issued. 
I  request,  also,  that  General  Gardner  be  instructed  to  have  issued,  to 
the  troops  of  his  command,  beef,  five  days  in  seven. 
1  am,  Major,  respectfully,  etc., 

THEODORE  JOHNSTON,  3Iajor  and  C.  S. 


Office  Post  Commissary, 
Fo?t  Hudson,  La.,  March  29,  1863. 

Major  T.  F.  WiLLsoN,  A.  A.  G.: 

Major  :  The  letters  of  Major  Theodore  Johnston  and  Lieutenant 
George  Cammack,  of  the  2 1  st  instant, which  have  been  referred  to  me  for 
explanation,  are  remarkable  official  papers.  They  are  composed  almost 
entirely  of  statements  made  by  persons  unknown  to  me,  and,  for 
ought  I  know,  quite  irresponsible.  Certainly  their  accounts  are,  in 
the  main,  without  foundation,  and  evidently  engendered  by  ill-feeling 
or  a  wanton  spirit  of  fault-finding.  It  is  harrassing  to  have  labors, 
usually  extending  far  into  the  night,  protracted  still  further  by  the 
necessity  of  answering  charges  so  vague,  groundless,  and  captious. 
At  the  time  to  which  Mr.  Conrad  refers,  I  had  no  corn  here  at  all, 
and  was  drawing  upon  the  quartermaster's  department  for  my  daily 
supply.  Of  the  five  boats  said  by  Lieutenant  Cammack  to  have  ar- 
rived during  his  stay,  three,  the  Trent,  lied  Chief  and  Starlight,  were 
consigtied  to  me  ;  the  others  came  to  the  quartermaster,  as  he  might 
have  learned,  had  he  inquired  at  official  sources,  as  eagerly  as  ho 
eeems  to  have  done  of  idlers  and  casual  passera-by.     The  Urge  quan- 


m 

tity  of  corn  which  he  saw  upon  the  levee,  was  a  small  part  of  the 
cargoes  discharged  at  the  time  of  the  bombardment,  which  was  being 
shucked  and  hauld  away  as  fast  as  the  meagre  transportation,  and  the 
difficulty  of  access  to  the  landing,  permitted.  The  same  was  the  case 
with  the  salt.  The  best  vindication  of  this  department,  and  the  proof 
of  the  justness  of  the  reasons  assigned,  lies  in  the  celerity  with  which 
the  whole  landing  has  been  cleared  since  the  requisite  transportation 
has  been  obtained.  The  statement  regarding  soldiers  throwing  corn 
at  each  other,  and  stealing,  would  be  puerile,  were  it  not  for  the  ex- 
aggeration, which  is  clearly  malicious.  The  young  gentleman  who 
makes  it  must  have  seen  but  little  service.,  and  know  still  less  of  work- 
ing fatigue  details,  or  he  would  not  h5!vc  hazarded  his  reputation  upon 
80  frail  a  venture.  As  to  the  unloading  the  Starlight,  and  steamboats 
generally,  the  small  landing  Avas  crowded,  as  may  be  seen  from  the 
statement  of  the  lieutenant,  that  there  were  five  boats  here  at  the  time, 
and  it  is  quite  reasonable  that  the  labor  should  be  directed  to  me  at  a 
time  to  give  space,  and  to  save  the  Avastage  which  would  result  from 
putting  off  corn  in  situations  inaccessible  to  wagons.  The  statements 
of  the  anonymous  '•  Captain  of  the  Trent,"  are,  in  the  sense  in  which 
they  are  meant,  false,  as  is  also  that  of  Captain  Woods,  in  regard  to 
the  bulk  pork,  and  of  Mr.  McCauley,  alout  the  corn.  No  such  things 
occurred,  at  all,  in  this  department.  I  have  never  had  pork  lying  a  week 
in  the  rain,  or  one  moment  longer  than  was  absolutely  necessary  to  have 
it  hauled.  I  believe  there  was  only  one  lot  rained  upon ;  that  only 
for  one  day.  It  was  re^alted  and  saved.  I  have  never  lost  a  pound 
of  corn  by  submersi-on.  In  conclusion,  the  letter  of  Lieutenant  Cam- 
mack  is  reckless,  unfounded,  and  dictated  by  an  evil  spirit  unbecom- 
ing an  official  document.  I  am  surprised  Major  Johnston  should  have 
lent  so  eag«r  an  ear  to  such  vague  and  thoughtless  accusations  against 
an  officer  whom  he  has  complimented  for  the  very  qualities  the  want 
of  which  is  now  charged.  Surely  that  is  not  to  "  render  unto  Caesar 
the  things  which  are  Caasar's ;"  and  can  only  be  accounted  for  by  an 
excessive  aversion  to  unnecessarily  expending  "  toil,  time  and  money," 
evinced  in  his  letter,  as  well  as  in  the  scanty  supplies  sent  to  this, 
post,  coupled  with  an  equally  strong  desire  to  escape  the  consequent 
responsibility. 

I  am,  Major,  very  respectfully,  etc., 

JOSEPH  P.  CARR, 
Major  und  A,  C.  S. 


Office  Chief  or  Subsistence,  \ 

Department  Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana,  > 

Jackson,  April  16,  1863.      ) 

Major  K.  W.  Memmikgeh, 

A.  A,  G.f  Jackson  :  > 

Major:  In  reply  to  your  communication  of  the  13th  instant,  ask- 
ing for  information  in  relation  to  the  amount  of  supplies  that  can  be 


81 

collected,  at  once,  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad,  say  at  Meridian, 
Enterprize,  Macon  and  Columbus,  I  have  the  honor  to  state  I  am 
accumulating  supplies  rapidly,  along  the  line  of  Mobile  and  Ohio 
railroad,  but  the  amount  I  can  collect  it  is  difficult  for  me  to  determine 
with  any  accuracy.  Enclosed  is  a  consolidated  statement  of  the  stores 
now  at  different  points  along  the  road.  As  they  accumulate,  I  will 
inform  you. 

I  am,  Major,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

THEO.  JOHNSTON,  Major,  etc. 


Office  of  Chief  of  SuBSisxENCr-,    V 

Department  Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana,  > 

Jackson,  April  10,  1863.      y 

Major  R.  W.  Memminger, 

yi.   A.    Grneral  Jackson,  Miss. 

Major  :  On  the  29th  ultimo  I  addressed  you  a  communication  on< 
which   I   asked  that  all  the  purchasing   officers  in  the    second  mili- 
tary district,  as  in  all   other  districts,  be  instructed  not  to    go  out 
side  of     their     districts,  without     authority   from    me.     Will    you 
please  inform  me  if  such  instructions  have  been  issued.     Informa- 
tion, from  various  sources,  has  been    furnished  me  to  the  effect  that 
agents  from  the  several  military  districts  are  being  sent  out  in  every 
direction,  producing  conflict  and  confusion   in  the  purchase  of  sup- 
ples.    I    quote    from  a  letter  received  this   day    from    Red  river; 
**  There  have  been  a  good  many  outside  commissaries  or  agents  from. 
Port  Hudson  and  Vicksburg,  who,  instead  of  facilitating  the  shipment 
of  articles  necessary  for  the  army,  simply  create  the  impression  that 
there  must  be  a  great  dem-nd,  and  consequently  cause  the  planter  to 
hold  back  for  higher  prices  "     Such  action  should  cease. 
I  am,  Major,  very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

THEO.  JOHNSTON, 

Major,  fyc. 


Jackson,  March  9,  1863. 

To  Major  R.  W.  Memminger, 

»  A.  A.   G.  Jackscn. 

Major:  Enclosed  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  consolidated  report- 
of  commissary  stores  at  the  different  posts  and  depots,  within  the  de- 
partment since  the  first  inst.  I  have  had  about  nine  hundred  hogs  at 
Port  Hudson  slaughtered,  which  will  increase  the  salt-meat  rationg 
about  three  hundred  thousand.  One  thousand  hogs  I  have  ordered 
ient  to  Vicksburg. 

It  is  too  late  now  to  attempt  to  cure  meat,  and  I  have  ordered  hogfl 


62 

killed,  and  issue  I  to  the  troops  at  that  place.  By  doing  thif,  I  think 
I  will  have  a  sufficiency  of  meat  to  subsist  the  troops  well  until  b -ief 
cattle  can  be  furnished.  There  have  been  received  at  Vicksburj^,  sir.co 
this  report  was  made  up,  six  hundred  thousand  rations  of, rice,  and 
other  stores  that  were  in  trsjnsitu  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  and  Missis- 
sippi Central  railroid^.  Miny  of  the  stores  th  it  were  on  these  ronds 
are  not  reported  at  all,  for  the  reas-^n  that  th  y  were  shipped  before 
the  first  inst.,  and  not  received,  prior  to  that  date,  at  Vicksburg.  It 
Vi'ill  be  seen,  by  referer  ee  to  the  report,  th  it  there  is  a  larger  accumu- 
lation of  stores  at  Port  Hudson,  than  elsewhere  :  a  portion  of  thetn 
has  been  ordere<l  to  Vicksburg.  There  is  a  boat  recently  out  of  Red 
river,  now  in  Big  Black,  with  one  hundred  and  eighty  thousand  ra- 
tions of  bacon,  five  hundred  and  thirty  hogs,  and  three  thousand 
pounds  of  lard,  for  Vicksburg.  The  railroad,  being  now  in  running 
condition,  large  quantities  of  st'^res  will  be  sent  to  Vicksburg  from 
points  on  these  roads.  Besidfsthe  boat  now  in  Big  Black,  the  sttMiri^r 
Iline.  with  a  load  of  commissary  stores,  out  of  Red  river,  is  now  at 
Port  Hudson. 

I  am,  MajoF,  etc., 

THEO.  JOHNSTON, 
Major  and  Chvf  cf  Subsistence, 


Office  Chief  of  Sub^is-tf.n'ce,      V 

Dr'partment  Mississippi  and  Ea^t  Louisiana,  > 

Jackson,  March  0.      V 

INIajor  R.  W.  Memminger.  A.   A    G.  : 

I\l  uoR :  Enclosed  is  a  letter  from  an  officer  at  Canton,  and  copies 
of  dispatches  from  officers  at  Micon,  and  replies  thereto.  1  respect- 
fully request  that  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  deterinirie 
apoa  Buoh  course  as  he  may  deem  advisable  m  relation  to  the  pur- 
chaao  of  bacon,  bulk  pork  and  beeves  within  the  department  and  au- 
thorize impressments  of  the  artricles  that  cannot  otherwise  be  ob- 
tained. 

I  am,  Major,  etc., 

THEODORE  JOHNSTON, 
Major  and  C kief  of  Subsistence. 


CoMMLSSARY  Offfce,  CantoH,  March  7,  1863. 

Major  Thko.  Johnston, 

Chief  of  Suhistence,  Jackson,  Miis.  : 

Dea.r  Sir  :  My  agent  returned  this  evening  from  gome  of  the 
counties  above  this  place,  and  has  purchased  some  bacon  and  corn, 
which  will  be  in  in  a  few  days.     He  reports  a  good  deal  of  bacon  for 


83 

«ale ;  some  are  willing  to  take  fifty  cents;  some  ask  as  muc'i  as  sev- 
enty-five cents  a  pcutnl.  He  aays  t\}^  f.inaers  are  expecting  to  hive 
thiif  ra 'at  iinpes^ed,  aal  will  no:  s;ll  u  uil  it  is  impi-es-^el;  an  I  then 
they  will  be  willing  to  (liviile,  believing  that,  if  they  sjll  all  they 
can  spire,  an  ordt^r  might  come  to  iin(ireH3  the  bilaiice.  M/  agent 
Bay  St  that,  by  setting  the  price  at  fifty  cents  an  orJt*r  to  impress,  ha 
thinks  he  can  get  some  thirty  or  fifty  thousand  pounds  in  two  or  three 
counties  above  here. 

Very  respectfully,  etc., 

Vv.   W.  MERRIWETIIEIl, 

Capt.  and  A.  C,  S. 


[CoFV  OF  Telegram] 

Macon,  Miss,  March  7,  1863. 

Major  TiiEO.  Johnston: 

Col.  Baskerville,  of  Columbus,  Miss.,  has  an  agent  here  whom  he 
has  instructed  to  piy  seventy  cents  for  bacon.  What  can  bo  ex- 
pected for  us  to  do,  when  such  a  course  is  permitted  by  Government 
agents. 

Capts.  DOWD  &  BOYCE, 
A.  a  S. 


Jackson,  Miss.,  March  7,  1863. 
Capts.  DowD  &  BovcE, 

Jackson,  Mississippi : 

I  know  of  no  Government  agent  by  the  name  of  Biskorville.  There 
is  a  merchant  of  that  nirae    who  resiiles  at  Oolumbus.      Yo)x  are  an 
thorized  to  impress  b  icon  in  the  hands  of  speculators.      N  )  authority 
has  been  given  to  pay  seventy  cents  for  bicon.     Take  the  b.icon. 

TllEO.  JOHNS  roN. 
Major  and  Chief  Subsistence. 


Office  Cmjef  or  Subsistence.      ^ 

Vrpartment  M'.ssissippi  and  Ea^t  Low'smni   ^ 

•  Jackson,  Apiil  14,  1863.       ) 

Major  R.  W,  Memminger, 

A.    A.    G.  Jackson  Mississippi. 

M\jor  :   Enalo.scd  I  remit  all  the  i  iformition  that  I  have  in  relation 
to  the  condition  of  commiusary    stores  at  Port  Iludion,  except  what 


84 

has  been  said  by  persons  whose  names  I  did  not  take  ;  but  almost  all 
with  whom  I  havo  conversed,  united  in  saying  that  there  was  great 
waste  of  stcrcs  at  that  post.  "Wtfbther  these  statement  were  true,  I 
have  not  had  an  opportunity,  of  my  own  knowledge,  to  ascertain  ;  but 
I  know  the  gentlemen,  who  have  made  these  statements,  to  be  of  un- 
doubted integrity.  I  am  pleased  to  know  that  an  investigation  is  to 
be  made,  and  if  there  has  been  neglect  of  duty  the  fact  will  b© 
known. 

I  am  Major,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

THEO.  JOHNSTON, 
Major  and  Chief  Subsistence. 


March  21,  1863. 

I  found  a  large  quantity  of  corn  on  the  levee,  notwithstanding 
there  had  been  no  arrival  previous  to  the  **  Trent"  for  three  or  four 
days.  I  also  noticed  on  the  levee,  within  a  few  feet  of  the  water,  the 
four  hundred  and  ten  barrels  of  salt  which  was  discharged  there  more 
than  a  month  since.  I  saw  many  soldiers  shelling  corn  about  the 
landing,  merely  to  obtain  the  cobs  to  throw  at  one  at  another ;  others^ 
were  filling  their  haversacks  with  shelled  corn,  and  corn  in  the  ear. 

Captain  Woods  stated  that  he  had  seen  a  large  quantity  of  bulk 
pork  remain  in  the  rain  on  the  levee  for  a  week,  and  half  the  lot  was- 
epoiled  and  unfit  for  use. 

Mr.  Macauley  told  me  that  two  thousand  five  hundred  bushels  of 
corn  were  submerged  on  the  levee  at  Port  Hudson,  and  several  parties 
stated  that  more  subsistence  bad  been  wasted  than  consumed. 

GEO.  CAMMACK. 


Offjce  Chief  of  Subsistence,      \ 

Department  Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana^  v 

Jackson,  Miss.,  March  ^S,  1863.      ) 

Major  R.  W.  Memminger, 

A.  A.   General: 

Major:  Your  letter  of  instruction  of  the  19th  inst.,  enclosing  » 
communication  from  W.  J.  Button,  Esq.,  received. 

Relative  to  that  portion  of  it  instructing  concert  of  action  between 
Major  Mims  and  myself,  in  order  to  secure  an  uniformity  in  rhe  pur- 
chase price  of  articles  on  the  part  of  our  respective  agents,  I  would 
reply  that  such  arrangements  have  already  been  made  ;  and,  by  refer- 
ence to  the  enclosed  papers,  you  will  perceive  that,  as  early  as  the 
13th  of  February,  I  instructed  Mr.  John  McFarland  to  take  possession 
of  the  steam  transport  Edward  J.  Gay,  and  send  her  immediately  to 


f 


85 

Snyder's  Bluff;  to  place  a  grist  mill  upon  her,  and  use  her  for  storing 
and  grinding  corn  into  meal,  to  be  turned  over  to  the  commissary  for 
the  troops  on  Yazoo  river. 

You  will  perceive  that  the  boat  was  taken  for  some  other  purpose. 
The  commissary  of  the  second  military  district  has  been  furnished 
with  the  list  of  prices  governing  the  agents  of  Major  Mims  and  my- 
self. 

•  I  am,  sir,  very  respectfuUv, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

TIIEO.  JOHNSTON, 
Mqjor  and  Chief  of  Subsistence 


[Extract.] 

March  21,  1863. 

To   Major  R.  W.  Memminger, 

A.  A.  General  ; 

lam  informed  by  Mr.  F.  D.  Conrad,  a  gentleman  of  unimpeachable 
credit,  that,  about  the  time  when  the  gunboat  "  Queen  of  the  West'* 
was  captured  by  our  forces,  there  was  a  large  quarvtity  of  corn  upon 
the  banks  of  the  river  at  Port  Hudson,  which  remained  unstored  for 
eight  or  ten  days.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  it  was  removed  from 
the  landing,  and  stored  in  a  damaged  condition. 

THEO.  JOHNSTON, 
Major  and  Chief  of  Subsistence. 

Captain  J.  V.  Duvalde,  of  the  parish  of  West  Baton  Rouge,  was 
in  my  office  when  Mr.  Conrad  made  his  statement,  and  s:ud  either  that 
he  had  heard  of  or  had  himself  seen  the  condition  of  commissary 
stores  at  Port  Hudson,  statt-d  by  Mr.  Conrad  as  existing. 


[Extract  ] 


April  8th,   1S63. 


When  I  arrived  at  Port  Hudson,  the  steamer  Red  Cliief  was  Ijing 
at  the  landing,  loaded  with  corn  in  shuck.  "A  detail"  was  ordered 
to  unload  her.  One  portion  of  the  detail  procured  coal  hods(litdding 
each  about  a  bushel  of  corn)  and  earned  the  corn  to  the  edge  of  the 
bank,  where  thoy  deposited  it.  The  other  portion  of  the  detail  stood 
on  board  the  boat  and  threw  the  corn  on  sh(.re,  ear  by  ear.  Had 
proper  care  been  taken  in  discharging  the  boat,  and  the  coin  beea 
deposited  ten  or  twelve  yards  further  from  the  edge  of  the  bank,  no 
corn  would  have  been  lost,  whoreaa  it  was  deposited  upon  the  very 
edge  of  the  bank,  and  when  the    pile  got  to  a  certain  [height,  almost 


8C 

every  load  from  the  hods,  when  deposited  upon  the  top,  would  roll  do  .vn 
into  the  river.  In  thia  manner,  could  we  ascertain  Avith  any  cer- 
tainty tho  amount  of  corn  which  has  heen  sunk  at  the  landing  at 
Port  I-udson  ?  We  could  find  that  we  have  suffered  an  tvlmostincrsdi- 
ile  loss  in  that  item  alone,  and  all  through  neglect.  On  the  Blaff 
there  was  sugar,  salt,  and  molassc:},,  which  had  been  lying  there  for 
more  than  a  month  ;  the  molasses  being  on  end,  with  the  sugar  and 
Fait  piled  upon  it,  the  cooperage  beijig  very  bad  and  the  whole  tot 
surrounded  w  th  a  pool  of  sugar  and  molas^ses  which  had  been  leaked 
out.  Major  Carr  says  it  is  impossible  for  him  to  do  more  than  he 
does  at  present,  and  that  he  has  had  to  build  his  storerooms  and  ware- 
houses himself. 

WALT.  S.  WING  ATE. 


[CiXTRACT.J 

Jackson.  March  18th,   1863. 

Major  General  Frank  Gardner,  Port  Hudson  : 

Reports  are  diUly  made  to  me  of  the  waste  of  stores  at  Port  Ilud- 
gon.  Whether  these  reports  be  true,  you  are  best  able  to  determine. 
I  would  respectfully  request  that,  in  view  of  the  scarcity  of  subsist- 
ence stores,  and  the  difficulty  of  collecting  them,  you  will  urge  upon 
the  subsistence  officers  the  importance  of  a  proper  preservation  of  ali 
stores  that  arrive  at  Port  Hu<ison. 

THEO.  JOHNSTON, 

Major  and  A.   C.    S. 


"Headquarters  Departbient  Mtssissippi  and  East  Louisiana, 

Jackson,  March  18th,   1863. 

Major  MiMS,   Chief  Quartermaster  : 

The  General  desires  to  know  how  many  wagons  he  can  calculate 
upon  to  transport  provisions  to  Port  Hudson  via  Osyka.  He  directs 
that  as  the  roads  are  in  pretty  gjo  I  order,  you  obtain  all  the  wagons 
practicable  to  put  on  this  road.  The  enclosed  letter  he  refers  to  you 
as  containing  many  truths  and  valuable  suggestions  both  for  your 
department  and  the  commissary.  He  desires  the  letter  to  be  returned. 
Very  respectfully,  etc  , 

J.  D.  BRADFORD, 

Major  and  C.   S. 


S7 


[Telegram.] 

Headquarters,  etc.,  Jackson,  March  18,  Ic63. 

Major  General  SinvfNSON,  Vicksburg  Mis.  : 

Put  every  man  at  work,  if  npces?ary,  in  unloading  the  cars.  Trans- 
portation on  the  Mobile  und  Ohio  r.iilroad  almost  stopped  for  want  of 
cars.  Send  Mobile  and  Ohio  cars  first.  Send  all  back  as  fast  as 
unleaded. 

J.  C.  PJ^MBERTON, 
JLiiuUnaid   General  commanding. 


[Telegram.] 

Headquarters,  etc.,  Jackson,  March  18,  18G3. 
Major  General  Gardneii,  Port  Hudson  : 

Send  all  spare  wagons   to  Osyka  to  aid   in  transportation  of  sup- 
plies. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 

Litutenant  Gaiera/. 
1 


Jackson,  March  18,  1863. 

Major  General  Steve  sson,  Vicksburg,  Mississippi  : 

Have  every  e.xertion  made  to  repair  break  in  road  near  Vick.sburg. 
See  Colonel  VVadley  on  the  subject.  The  two  boats  passed  Rodney 
at  four  and  a  half,  1'.  M. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  comrnanding. 


[Telegram] 

Jackson,  March  19,  18G3. 
Brigadier  General  Ciialmehs,  Panel i  : 

Hive  the  bacon  and  corn  forwarded  to  thij  point  as  rapidly  as  pos- 
sible. , 

J.  0.   PEMBERTON, 
Lifutmant  General  commanding 


88 


/  [Telegram  ] 

Jackson,  March  19,  1863. 
Hon.  J.  A.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War  : 

I  propose  to  endeavor  to  subsist  my  army  as  hitherto.  Have 
agents  with  large  amount  of  funds  to  make  purchases  of  corn,  beef, 
and  bacon  west  of  Mississipjii  river,  and  also  collecting  some  supplies 
in  this  State.  The  instructions  of  Commissary  General  to  Major 
Johnston  to  withdraw  his  agents  from  west  Mississippi  river,  and  to 
make  all  purchases'  through  Lieutenant  Colonel  Broadwell,  would 
upset  all  my  arrangements,  and  is,  besides,  impracticable.  Colonel 
Broadwell  has  not  been  within  thi^  department  for  about  six  weeks. 
I  am  glad  to  receive  assistance  from  him,  but  chief  of  subsistence 
of  this  department  must,  of  course,  be  under  my  control.  Have 
released,  pursuant  to  your  order,  all  sugar,  except  six  weeks'  supply 
for  this  department.  Navigation  of  Mississippi  river  again  cut  off. 
Neither  subsistence  nor  ordnance  can  come  or  go.  I  hope  you  will 
not  attribute  my  acts  or  requests  to  any  motives  but  good  of  the  ser- 
vice.    I  have  none  other. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


[Telegram  ] 

Jackson,  March   19,   1863. 
Major  General  Gardner,  Port  Hudson  : 

Hartford  and  Monongahela  passed  Grand  Gulf,  going  up,  at  seven, 
A.  M.  One  supply  boat  at  a  time  might  run  down  and  unload  at 
Port  Hudson.  It  is  so  important  that  the  risk  might  be  run  ;  but 
perfect  arrangements  must  be  made  to  destroy  her,  if  necessary. 
Can  you  arrange  it  ? 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


[Telegram.] 

Jackson,  March  19,   1863, 
IMajor  General  Gardner,  Port  Hudson: 

If  notified  by  General  Stevenson  that  boats  pass  up  by  Vicksburg, 
)Send  about  2()l),()U()  pounds  of and  U),(JUO  bushels  of  corn. 


89 

of  that  which  wil   arrive  by  boats  at  Port  Hudson,  immediately  up 
Big  Black. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


Headquarters,  etc.,  Jackson,  March  19,  1863. 
Major  General  Stevenson,  Ficksburg,  Mississippi  : 

General  :  I  am  directed  by  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  to  say 
that  the  chief  quartermaster  and  commissary  of  the  department  have 
been  directed  to  instruct  their  agents  engaged  in  purchasing  and 
transporting  supplies  of  grain  along  the  Yazoo  and  its  tributaries  ; 
that  they  will  maintain  a  unanimity  of  prices,  avoiding  all  competi- 
tion. It  is  desired  that  all  instructions  as  to  purchases  in  this  sec- 
tion should  come  through  the  chiefs  of  the  departments. 
I  am,  respectfully,  etc., 

R.  W.  MEMMINGER,  A.  A.  G. 


Headquarters,  etc.,  Jacksom,  March  19,  1863. 
Mtjor  T.  Johnston,  Chief  of  Subsistence  : 

Major:  I  am  directed  by  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  to  say 
that  in  reference  to  supplies  of  grain,  &c.,  collected  on  the  Yazoo  and  its 
tributaries  to  be  at  Snyd  r's  Bluff,  you  will  make  such  arrargements 
with  Major  L.  Mims,  chief  quartermaster,  both  as  regards  the  pur- 
chases and  transportation  of  such  supplies  as  will  secure  on  uni- 
formity in  the  purchase,  price,  and  cost  of  transportation.  Y^ou  will 
also  see  that  all  your  agents  obtain  and  follow  such  instructions  and 
that  uniform  price  is  established  throughout.  You  will  see  that  the 
agent  of  the  commissary  of  the  secord  military  district  follow  similar 
instructions.  The  object  to  be  maintained  is  uniformity  in  price  ; 
thf-t  no  competition  aiise  between  the  iigfnts  of  the  Quartermaster 
and  Commissary  Departments.  He  also  directs  you  to  ctablish  on 
Bome  eteam  transport  a  mill  for  the  purpose  of  grinding  corn  at  such 
points  as  is  convenient,  as  he  is  informed  that  there  are  many  trans- 
ports that  can  be  usid  as  such. 

I  am,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant. 

R.  W.  MEMMINGER,  A.  A.  G. 


Headquarters  Dep't  Mississippi  and  East  Loiisiana,  ) 

Jackson,  March  2<l,  1863.      $ 

Major  L.   Mims,  Chief  Quartermoitcr  : 

Ma.ior  :   The  Lieutenant  General  commanding  directs  me  to  enclose 
thi8<lippatch  to  and  say  to  you  that  you  will  take  measures  to  provide 


90 

boats  to  transport  troops  up  the  river  an<l  supplies  down.  You  will 
inform  liiin  whar.  boats  you  cm  obtain.  Boats  of  larger  class  will  bo 
retained  for  the  transportation  on  the  Yazoo  and  those  of  the  smaller 
class  kept  for  the  navigation  of  the  smaller  streams  and  the  Talla- 
hatchie. The  general  ('esires  a  complete  organization  of 'the  boat 
system  on  the  Ynzoo.  Such  bo;its  as  are  being  armed  anl  clad  with 
cotton,  will  be  exempt  from  these  arrangements. 
I  am,  respectfully, 

J.  D.  BRADFORD, 

Major  and    Commissary. 


Headquarters  Department  Mis.«;issippi  and  E.  Louisiana,  > 

Jackson,  March  2U,   1863.      ] 

Colonel  B,  S.  Ewell,  A.  A.  G.,  TuUahomn  : 

Colonel:  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  the  within  communication  of 
Major  Mim?,  chief  quartermaster,  with  regard  to  complaints  made 
against  his  department  with  his  reply.  I  fully  concur  and  think  the 
case  30  palpable  as  not  to  require  that  further  be  said  should  there  be 
any  charges  specifically  brought  against  any  officer  of  the  Qimrter- 
master's  and  Commissary  Departments  in  this  command.  I  will  use 
every  effort  to  have  the  case  thoroughly  iuvestii-ated.  I  deem  it 
ficaice  necessary  to  say  to  you  that  the  efforts  which  have  brought 
complaints  against  myself  and  the  officers  of  the  Qu  irtermastor's 
and  Commissary  Departments  acting  under  ray  instructions,  have 
been  entirely  for  the  public  good. 

Very  res^iectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  Genercd  commanding. 

I 


IlEADQUARTEftS  DEPARTMENT  MISSISSIPPI  AND  E.    LoUISI\NA,  > 

Jackson,  March  20,  1863.      J 
Major  General  B.  Taylor,  Commanding,  ^c,  Alexar  dria  : 

The  Lieutemnt  General  commanding  directs  me  to  say,  in  reply  to 
j^ur  letter  of  the  12ih  instant,  that  he  addressed  General  Smith  only  | 
after  repeated  assurances  from  different   parties  that  you  had  prohib-  \ 
ited  his  agents  in  the  purchase  of  supplies  ;  that  Port  Hudson  depends  | 
almost  entirely  for  supplies  on   the  other  side  of  the  river;  further,    ' 
that  he  has  ever  thought,  and  is  glad  to  hear,  that  you  are  willing  to 
assist  him,  as  he  is  also  to  assist  you  when  able. 
Very  respectfully,  etc., 

J.  c.  taytor,  a.  d.  a 


91 

IIeadquahters,  etc.,  Jackson,  March  21,  1863. 

Major  L.  Mi  MS, 

Chief  Quart ermnster : 

Major  :  The  Lieutenant  General  commanding  directs  that  you  will 
require  the  quartermaster  at  ^'ick^burg  to  report  to  you  the  arrival 
of  every  train  of  pupplics  and  ordnance,  reporting  the  number  of  car 
leads  of  each.  You  uill  render  a  similar  report  to  these  head- 
quarters. 

I  am,  Mr.jor,  etc., 

J.  D.  BRADFORD. 
Major  ond  Assistant  Inspects   Gemral. 


[Telegram  ] 

Jackson,  March  21,   1363. 

Major  General  Gakdnir, 

Port  Hud  on  : 

Send  no  boat  here  until  you  hear  from  myself  or  General  Steven- 
son that  the  river  is  clear.  I  have  every  confidence  cf  your  using 
every  exertiou  to  unload  the  boats.  Telegraph  every  day  the  amount 
of  corn  and  meat  on  hand. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant   General  Commanding. 


Headquarters,  etc,  Jackson,  March  21,    1863. 

Major  Theodore  Johnston, 

Chief  of  Subsistence. : 

Major  :  The  Lieutenant  General  directs  that  you  Fend  a  bonded 
commissary  to  the  Yazoo  with  money  to  make  any  necessary  pay- 
ments due  there  and  to  purchase  supplies,  not  only  for  the  troops  at 
Snyder's  Mill.s,  but  for  General  Loring  and  all  iho  troops  in  and 
around  the  Tallahatchie,  Sunflower  and  Deer  Creek.  You  can,  at 
your  option,  employ  Mr.  John  W.  McFarland  for  this  purpose, 
making  him  cither  disbursing  and  purchasing  .igent  or  simply  an 
agent  for  the  procuring  <'f  supplies  as  above.  lie  is  reported  as  an 
active,  energetic  aad  reliable  gentleman  and  a  most  trustwurtliy 
agent.  In  case  you  employ  Mr.  McFarland  as  agent  you  can  supply 
him  ^viih  funds  to  make  immediate  payments,  or  cause  all  his  bills  to 


92 

l)e  paid  on  presentation.     The  rates  of  purchase  must  conform  to  those 
established. 

I  am,  Major,  etc., 
•  J.  D.  BRADFORD, 

Major  and  Commissary. 


Jackson,  March  22,  1863. 

Major  General  Stevenson  : 

Notify  colonel  when  it  is  safe  to  send  boats  up  river  from  Natchez 
or  Red  river. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


Headquarters   Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana, 
Jackson,  March  22,   1863. 
Major  General  Buckner, 

Commandivg,  Sfc,  Mobile,  Alabama  : 

General  :  I  have  the  honor  to  request  that  a  lot  of  flour,  four 
hundred  and  ninety  barrels,  seized  in  Mobile,  be  released  and  trans- 
portation allowed  to  its  destination,  Captain  G.  A.  Woodward, 
Vicksburg.  This  flour  was  purchased  for  me  in  commissary 
department  and  is  much  needed  here.  You  will  remember  that  all 
produce  not  grown  or  raised  in  this  department  is  allowed  to  pass 
freely  to  Mobile. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


Jackson,  March  22,   ISSS. 
Brigadier  General  John  S.  Bowen, 

Gfand  Gulf,  Blississippi : 

Do  not  take  more  than  ten  diys'  supplies  from  steamer  Hine.     I 
want  the  Hine  to  go  up  to  bridge  if  possible. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


Jackson,  March  23,  18G3. 

•Major  General  Stevenson,   Vicksburg  : 

General  Chalmers  is    paying  thirty  cents  per  pound  for  bacon  at 


93 

Panola,  whilst  Majar  Reed's  agent  is  offering  fifty  cents.  This  must 
be  stopped.  Major  Reed's  agent  must  not  pay  more  than  General 
Chalmers'. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
»  Lieuttnant   General. 


Jackson,  March  23,  1863. 

General  Chalmers,  Panola^  Mississippi:  , 

General  Stevenson  has  been  directed  to  notify  Major  Reed  not  to 
pay  more  for  bacon  than  your  agents. 

J.  (J.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  ccmmanding. 


Jackson,  March  24,  1863, 

Major  General  C.  L,  Stevenson  : 

Additional  boats  have  been  ordered  to  Snyder's  Mills,  and  it  is 
thought  they  must  be  there  by  this  time.  Additional  urgent  orders 
have  been  given  to  send  all  the  boats  that  be  controlled.  It  is  impos- 
sible to  do  more  than  he  has  done. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


Jackson,  March  24,  1863. 

General  Bowen,  Grand  Gulf: 

Notify  at  Rodney  and  Natchez  if  either  of  the  Federal  gunboats 
pass  down,  as  my  object  is  that  boats  may  run  from  Red  river  into 
Big  Black  with  subsistence. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant   General  commanding. 


Jackson,  March  24,   1863. 
G.  W.  KoDNTz,  Natchez : 

Send  courier  up  Red  river  to  notify  the  boats  Charm,  Texas  and 
J.  H.  Tucker  that  1  wish  them  to  go  up  Big  Black  They  should 
stop  at  Rodney  and  obtain  all  information  in  regard  to  movements  of 
Federal  gunboats. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


94 

Jackson,  March  24,  1863. 

General  Bowev,  Grand  Gulf  : 

I  have  ordered  the  boats  Charm,  Texas  and   J.  II,  Tucker,  loaded 
with  subsistence,  up  Big  Black  river. 

J.  C    PEMBERTON, 
Luuiei.ant  Gtneral  commanding. 


,  Jackson,  March  25,  18G3. 

Majcr  General  Stf.vens#n, 

V^ickshurg,  Mississippi : 

The  Charm  is  at  Natchez,  loaded  with  meat,  C:m  she  run  for  Big 
Black  with  safety.  Answer  immediately,  and,  if  so,  telegraph  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Lovell  at  Natchez, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Liiutenant  Gentral  commanding. 


Jackson,  March  25,  1863. 

Brigadier  General  Bowen,  Grand  Gu'f : 

The  Charm  is  at  Nutchez,  loaded  with  m'y.it.  Will  it  be  safe  to  let 
h<»r  run  up  to  Big  Bluck  ?  If  so.  telegrnph  Lieutenant  Colonel  ^Y. 
S.  Lovell  at  Natchez.     Answer  iaimydiiittd  i,-. 

j;  C    PEMBERTON, 
LicuUnant  General  commanding. 


Jacksov,  INIarch  25,   1863. 

Brigadier  General  Jam  S,  Bowen,   Grand  Gu-f : 

Use  your  judgment  in  collecting  the  corn,  whenever   you  deem  it 
eafe  and  can  get  a  boat. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieuttnant  General  commanding. 


Jacksom,  March  27,  1863. 

Major  Theodore  Johnston, 

Chief  of  Subsistence  : 

I  am  directed  by  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  to  say,  in 


95 

reply   to   your  communication  of  the    2'»th    instant,    that    you  are 
auiborizei  to  exchange  sale  for  bacon  at  the  rates  you  propose. 
I  am,  Major,  etc., 

II.  C.  TUPPER, 

Aid-de-Camp. 


Jackson,  March  29,   1863. 

Brigadier  General  Ciulmer?,  ^ 

Panola,    M  ssissippi  : 

If  you  consider  it  practicable  that  supplies  can  be  drawn  from 
country  along  Memphis  railroad,  pVess  it  to  completion  as  far  as 
Saidis.  You  are  authorized  to  impicps  negroes,  jf  it  is  probable 
enemy  will  break  up  railroad,  do  nor,  press  it  forward 

J.  C.   PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant   General  commanding. 


Jackson,  March  30,   1863. 

Major  L.  Mims,  Jackson: 

I  am  directed  by  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  to  inquire  if 
arrangenniits  have  been  made  to  supply  animals  for  the  horse  cars 
between  O.xford  and  Holly  Spiings. 

I  am,  Major,  \cry  respectfully, 

11.  C.  TUPPER, 
•  Aid-dc-Camp. 


Jackson,  March  30,  1SG3. 

Major  Theodore  Johnston, 

Cltiif  of  Subsistence  : 

M«jOR  :  I  am  directed  by  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  to 
direct  you  to  make  arrangements  to  have  the  cattle  diiven  down  from 
the  Mississippi  Central  railroad,  without   waiting  for  transportation. 

Very  respectfully, 

JI.  C.  TUPPER, 

Aid  de-Camp. 


96 

Jackson,  March  30,   1863.. 

Brigadier  General  Chalmers, 

t  Panola,  Mississippi  : 

When  parties  refuse  Confederate  money  for  supplies  wanted  by  the 
Government,  impress  them, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON. 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


Headquarters  Department  Mississippi  and  E.  Louisiana,  ) 

Jackson,  April  1,   1863.       ) 

Major  John  McFarland,   Yazoo  JCity : 

Sir  :  In  reply  to  your  letter,  the  Lieutenant  Greneral  commanding 
directs  me  to  say  that  he  relies  upon  you  to  supply  the  troops  with 
beef.  He  will  not  restrict  you  to  ten  cents  per  pound,  but  hopes  you 
will  obtain  it  on  the  best  possible  terms.  Major  Johnston  will  keep 
you  supplied  with  funds,  so  you  may  purchase  on  the  most  advan- 
tageous terms.  It  would  be  more  difficult  to  get  a  proper  amount  of 
molasses  to  you  than  to  procure  beef.  Say  to  Mr.  Weldon  that  his 
account  will  be  paid  at  Fort  Pemberton  as  soon  as  the  amount  is 
ascertained  by  a  proper  officer.  General  Loring  must,  in  all  cases, 
examine  and  approve  the  accounts,  and  he  must  keep  distinct  the 
expenses  properly  incurred  by  each  branch  of  the  service.  The  con- 
struction of  rafts,  and  the  necessary  expenses  incident  thereto, 
belongs  to  the  engineer  bureau;  the  transportation,  &c.,  to  the 
quartermaster  and  the  subsistence  to  the  commissary.  Each  of 
these  items  belonging  to  these  different  classifications  must  be  kept 
distinct  and  stated  separately. 

I  am,  with  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

JL.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


He^adquarters  Department  Mississippi  and  E.  Louisiana,  ) 

Jackson,  April  3,    1863.       \ 

Major  L.   Mims, 

Chief  Quartermaster,  Jackson,  Mississippi : 

Major  :  I  am  directed  by  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  to 
say  that  the  means  of  transportation  on  the  Mississippi  Central  rail- 
road is  by  no  means  sufficient,  and  the  transportation  of  supplies  is 
thereby  greatly  delayed.  'Your  attention  is  directed  to  this  fact,  to 
remedy  which  you  will  request  the  authorities  of  the  New  Orleans 
and  Jackson  railroad  to  return  the  cars  belonging  on  the  Mississippi 
Central  railroad.     If  they  are  unwilling  so  to  do,  you  will  return  the 


97 

cars   (a   sufficient   number),    notwithstanding   the    diseent   of    euch 
authorities. 

I  am.  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  W.  MEMMINGER, 
Assistant    Adjutant    General. 


Jackson,  April  5,  1863. 
Major  General  C.  L.  StevensoxN  : 

The  Hine  must  not  go   down   until  mouth  of  Rod   river   is   open. 
At  last  report  enemy's  fleet  was  there. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant   General  commanding. 


Jack80>%  April  G,   1863. 

Captain  E.  Powell,  Natchi^^z  : 

Send  a  courier  at  once  to  Red  river  to  notify  all  loaded  boats  to  bo 
in  readiness  to  come  to  Big  Black  the  moment  thev  are  ordered. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


Jackson,  April  6th,  1863. 

Major  L.  Mims, 

Jackson^  Missisippi : 

In  reply  to  your  communication  of  this  day's  date,  referring  to  the 
necessity  of  the  transfer  of  corn  from  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad 
to  the  Southern  railroad.  I  am  directed  by  the  Lieutenant  General 
commanding  to  say  that  he  deems  it  advisable  that  the  corn  referred 
to  be  stored  at  Meridian,  the  necessity  for  its  shipment  to  Vicksbur.: 
not  being  very  pressing,  and  regarding  it  more  iiiiportant  that  tuo 
cars  be  retained  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad  for  the  purpose  of 
bringing  supplies  from  the  country  above  Meridian  to  that  point,  than 
that  at  the  present  time  the  cars  be  run  through  to  Vickaburg,  and 
the  transporlatlxTi  osi  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad  temporarily  de- 
layed. This  corn  can  therefore  for  the  present  be  stored  at  Meri- 
dian, and  removed  when  transportation  can  be  more  readily  obtained 
on  the  Southern  railroad. 

Respectfully,  etc., 

R.  W.  MEMMINGER,  A.  A.  G. 
7 


98 

Jackson,  April  6th,  1863. 

M;;jor  General  Frank  Gardner, 

Port  Hudson, 
General — In  reply  to  your  communication  of  3d  instant,  enclosing 
report  from  Major  Carr,  A.  0.  S.,  1  am  directed  by  the  Lieutenant 
General  commanding  to  say,  as  to  complaints  in  the  delay  of  remov- 
ing corn,  that  they  were  not  only  preferred  by  Maj.  Johnston,  but  also 
by  Lieut.  Colonel  Broadwell,  agent  for  the  Commanding  General,  for 
supplying  the  armies  of  the  Confederate  States.  It  would  appear 
that  there  was  inexcusable  delay  in  unloading  the  boats,  and  remov- 
ing the  supplies.  If  there  were  not  sufficient  hands,  soldiers  should 
be  detailed  for  the  purpose. 

I  am,  respectfully,  etc., 

R.  W.  MEMMINGER,  A.  A.  G. 


Jackson,  April  7th,  1863. 

Lieut.  Col.  W.  S.  Lovell, 
Natchez  : 
You  don't  mention  amount  of-  corn  on  river— think  it  as  safe  to  run 
up  Red  river,  unless  gets- full  load.     Can  take  it  coming  back.    Order 
Hine  accordingly. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  Commanding y 


Headquarters  Dep't  Mississippi  and  E.  Louisiana,  ) 

Jackson,  April  7th,  1863.      ) 
President  R.  R.  : 

Sir  :  The  Lieutenant  General  commanding  the  department  instructs 
me  to  siay  that  the  shipment  of  Government  supplies  and  stores  to 
Vicksburg  is  much  too  slow  for  the  requirements  of  the  service — that 
he  desires  that  you  will  give  your  attention  to  this,  and  employ  mor© 
cars  in  this  transportation ;  and  further,  that  he  thinks  one  day  in  the 
week  is  all  that  should  be  allowed  for  shipment  of  private  freights. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  TAYLOR,  A.  D.  C, 


Jackson,  April  7th,  1863. 

Gen.  John  S.  Bowen, 

Grand  Gulf,  via  Port  Gibson  : 
Send  a  boat  to  St.  Joseph  for  1 500  sacks  of  corn  there. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lievi.  General  Commanding. 


99 

Headquarters  Dep't  Mississippi  and  E.  Louisiana, 

Jackson,  April  7th,  1863, 
Judge  J.  L.  NoBERS, 

Carrolton,  Ala.  :. 
Sir  :  General  Pemberton  has  directed  General  Ruggles  to  allow 
you  to  purchase  the  amount  of  corn  mentioned  in  your  letter,  in 
JSoxabee  and  Lounds  counties,  and  ship  it  for  the  use  of  the  destitute 
families  of  volunteers  now  absent  in  the  service,  on  the  conditions 
and  in  the  manner  prescribed  in  your  letter,  ' 

Yours,  very  respectfully, 

J.  THOMPSON,  I.  G. 


Headquarters  Dep't  Miss,  and  E.  La. 
Jackson,  April  Sth,  1863. 
Major  Theodore  Johnston, 

Chief  a  S.  : 
The  Lieutenant  General  commanding  desires  to  know  whether  satis- 
factory and  suiScient  arrangements  have  been  made  for  the  receipt 
and  keeping  of  the  beef  cattle  coming  from  beyond  the  Mississippi 
river,  and  he  directs  that  hereafter  no  contracts  for  butchering  must 
be  made  which  allows  as  compensation  to  the  butcher  the  hides. 
These  must  be  retained  and  kept  subject  to  the  control  of  the  quar- 
termaster's department. 

I  am,  respectfully, 

J.  THOMSON,  I.  G. 


Jackson,  April  Sth,  1863. 
General  Stevenson, 

Vicksburg  : 
Steamer  **  Dot,"  with   200,000  pounds  bacon,  reached  Big  Black 
this  evening.     Have  arrangements  made  at  once  for  its  transporta^ 
tion. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON,  « 
Lieut.  General  Commanding. 


Jack.son,  April  9th,  1863. 
General  Stevenson, 

Vicksburg : 
Have  ordered  fifteen  hundred  men  from  above,  as  rapidly  as  possi 
ble,  to  Rolling  Fork.     Send  small  boats  to  mouth   of  Sunflower  to 
take  them  from  large  boats. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieut,  General  Commanding! 


100 

Jackson,  April  13th,  1863. 
Geceral  Joseph  E.  Johnston, 

Tullahoma :  , 

Cars  can  not  run  above  Okelona.  I  am  now  establishing  depots  of 
corn  at  Enterprise  and  Meridian  ;  shall  also  at  Macon  and  Columbus. 
Meat  can  only  be  obtained  in  moderate  quantities  for  want  of  wagon 
transportation.  Will  do  all  I  can.  Have  no  knowledge  of  ray  pur- 
chasing agent^being  in  Alabama;  have  ordered  recall, 

J.  C.  PEMPERTON, 
Lieut    General  Commandivg. 


Headquarters  Dep't  Miss,  and  E.  La.  ) 
Jackson,  April  14,  1853.      ) 
Major  Theodore  Johnston, 

Chief  of  Subsistence,  Jackson  .' 
Major  :  In  reply  to  your  communication  of  this  day,  I  am  directed 
%y   the    Lieutenant  General  commanding,  to  say    that    the    enemy's 
'  gun-boats  are  reported  at  the  mouth   of  Red  river.     Nothing  can  go 
'down, 

I  am,  respectfully, 

R.  W.  MEMMINGER,  A.  A.  G. 


Headquarters  Dep't  Miss,  and  E.  La.  ) 
Jwkson,  April  \Ath,  1863.      ) 
Major  L.  Mims, 

Chief  QuarteriJ^ster,  Jackson,  Miss.  : 
Major  :  In  connection  with  the  accompanying  communication  from 
'General  Stevenson  referred  to  you,  I  am  directed  by  the  Lieutenant 
General  commanding  to  say,  he  thinks  it  better  to  haul  the  machinery, 
iron,  &c,,  to  Vaughan's  station,  from  Yazoo  city,  and  that  to  take  off 
the  wagons  from  hauling  corn  to  Vicksburg,  would  be  to  prevent  the 
accumulation  of  corn,  &c  ,  on  the  line  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  rail- 
road, which  is  now  so  much  desired. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  W.  MEMMINGER,  A.  A.  G. 


Headquarters  Dep't  Miss,  and  E.  La,  ) 
Jacks' n,  Aptil  ]6th,  1863.      ) 
Major  Theodore  Johnston, 

Chief  Commissary  : 
Major  :  The   Lieutenant  General  commanding  directs  me  to  say, 
that  corn  and  corn  meal  are  not  rapidly  enough  accumulated  by  your 


101 

deportment ;  that  85,000  bushels  of  corn  is  but  a  small  amount  to  have 
on  the  line  of  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant; 

J.  C.  TAYLOR,  A.  D.  C. 


Headquarters  Df.p't  Miss,  and  E.  La.,  ) 
Jackson,  April  17M,  1863.       \ 
Major  Theodore  Johnston, 

Chie1  of  Subsistence  : 
Sir  :  The  Lieutenant  General  commanding  is  very  solicitous  for 
the  collection  of  supplies  at  the  different  points  namod  in  the  order 
of  yesterday,  viz  :  Meridian,  Macon,  Columbus  and  West  Point.  He 
hopes  the  greatest  energy  will  be  used  by  all  the  employees  of  your 
department,  and  no  effort  be  spared  to  effect  the  object.  He  relies 
upon  you  to  command  success. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  THOMPSON,  I.  G. 


Jackson,  April  18th,  1863. 
General  Chalmers, 

Panola,  Miss.  : 
I  regard  the  navigation  of  the   Mississippi  river  shut  out  from  us 
now.     No  more  supplies  can  be  gotten  from  the  trans-Mississippi  de- 
partment.    Can  you  not  supply  (15,000)  fifteen  thousand  more  from 
Panola. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  Commandins. 


Jackson,  April  18th,  1863. 
Major  Howell  Hinds, 

Fayette,  Miss.  : 
We  have  a  cargo  of  bacon  on  a  boat  in  Choctaw  Bayou,  four  miles 
west  of  Waterproof.  It  is  of  vital  importance  to  save  it.  Can  it  be 
transported  to  tlie  river  and  crossed  at  Rodney,  and  from  thence  sent 
to  the  railroad.  If  so,  you  will  undertake  the  direction  of  the  enter- 
piise.  Jf  you  can  get  it  across  anywhere  you  will  do  a  great  service, 
for  whflk  Lieut.  General  Pemberton  will  be  most  grateful.     Answer. 

W.  H.  McCARDLE,  A.  A.  G. 


ro2 

Jackson,  April  18,  1863. 
Brig.  General  John  S.  Bo  wen, 

Grand  Gulf : 
Steamer  Vigo  is  now  in  Choctaw  Bayou,  four  miles  west  of  Water- 
proof, with  a  cargo  of  bacon  for  Vicksburg.  Send  an  energetic  com- 
missary and  quartermaster  to  receipt  for  the  bacon,  and  provide 
transportation,  by  impressment  if  necessary.  What  means  would 
you  suggest  for  getting  it  across  the  river.  It  is  too  necessary  for 
it  to  be  lost.     Answer  as  soon  as  possible. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  Commanding. 


Headquarters  Department  Mississippi  and  E.  Louisiana,  ) 

Jackson^  Jpril  20th,  1863.      ] 
Major  Theodore  Johnston, 

Chief  Subsistence : 
Major  :  1  am  directed  by  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  to 
say,  in  reply  to  ypur  communication  of  to-day's  date,  relative  to  sub- 
sistence at  Port  Hudson,  La.,  that  he  is  satisfied  with  amount  now  on 
hand,  but  hereafter  the  supply  must  not  be  decreased,  as  it  will  have 
to  be  kept  by  land.  Every  effort  must  be  made  to  supply  as  fast  as 
consumed. 

I  am.  Major,  your  obedient  servant,  • 

J.  H.  MORRISON,  A.  D,  C. 


Jackson,  April  22,  1863, 
Colonel  W.  S.  Lovell, 

Natchez  : 
Am  arranging  to  haul  the  one  thousand  sacks  corn  to  Port  Hudson. 
You  must  get  all  you  can  for  that   place.     Is  it  quartermaster  or 
commissary  ? 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  Commanding. 


Jackson,  April  25th  1863. 
^rig.  General  John  S.  Bowen, 
Grand   Guf: 
What  amount  of  bacon  in  cargo  ?     I  propose  sending  it  to  Port 
Hudson  via  Woodville.     Answer. 

J.  C.  PEMBERT^, 
Lieutenant  General  Commamling. 


103 

Jackson,  April  26,  1863. 
Brig.  General  John  S  Bowen, 

The  meat  in  Cole's  Creek  must  be  sent  direct  to  Port  Hudson,  visk 
Washington  to  Woodville,  where  General  Gardner's  agents  will  take 
it.  What  is  now  on  the  way  to  Port  Hudson  may  await  further 
orders. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  Commanding. 


Headquarters  Dep't  Miss,  and  E.  Lv..  ) 
Jackson,  April  S\)ik,  1863.       } 
President  Southern  R.  R., 

Jackson  : 
Sir  :  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the  break  in  your  roaii 
should  be  repaired  with  the  greatest  expedition,  and  I  hope  that  you 
will  devote  your  energy  and  attention  to  the  matter,  and  employ  such 
ft  force  on  the  work  that  the  necessary  repairs  may  be  completed  in 
the  shortest  possible  time,  as  a  great  portion  of  the  supplies  for  this 
command  must  come  over  your  road. 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  Commanding. 


Jackson,  April  3(1,  ISG3. 
Brig.  General  John  S.  Bowen, 

Grand  Gu'f. 
The  meat  at  Port  Gibson  must  by  no  means  be  allowed  to  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy.     Have  the  reinforcements  arrived  ? 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant. 

j!  C.PEiMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  Commanding. 


APPENDIX    B 


GORRESPONDENCE  RELATIVE  TO  ORDNANCK 


Holly  Springs,  November  G,  1863. 
Colonel  J.  GoRGAS,  Chief  of  Ordnance,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

I  need  six  hundred  (600)  rounds  three-inch  Parrott  projectiles  and 
three  hundred  (300)  rounds  twenty-pounder  Parrott  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible ;  also,  small  arms  and  ammunition  ;  also,  fixed  ammunition,  as- 
sorted, for  field  guns.  Have  none  on  hand  except  what  is  in  the 
hands  of  regiments  and  battalions — only  partially  supplied. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


Jackson,  Miss.,  Norember  12,  1862. 
Colonel  J.  GoRGAS,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

Neither  of  the  Parrott  guns,  siege  guns,  twenty -four-pounder  how- 
itzers, or  twelve-pounder  bronze  guns,  have  been  received  yet.  Have 
any  been  sent?     I  am  horribly  in  want  of  arms» 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General,  commanding. 


Jackson,  Miss.,  November  22,  1862. 
Colonel  J.  GoRGAS,  Richmond,  Va. : 

The  arras  sent  by  messenger,  on  the  29th,  have  never  been  heard  of 
here.  Flats  will  be  sent  from  Chattanooga,  as  soon  as  they  arrive, 
for  ten-inch  guns. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General,  commanding.. 


105 

VicKSBURG,  January  3,  186S. 
Colonel  J.  GoRGAS,  Chief  of  Ordnance,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

Please   order  General  Raines,  at  Augusta,   to  send  me,  at  once, 
thirty  thousand  pounds  of  powder.     Must  have  it  immediately. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON,  Lieutenant  General. 


.  Jackson,  January  23,  1863. 
Colonel  GoRGAS,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

Please  order  the  four  thousand  arms  required  for  by  Major  Mayo 
sent  here  without  delay.     They  are  indispensable  at  this  juncture. 

J,  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General,  commanding^ 


Jackson,  February  5,  1863. 
Colonel  J.  GoRGAS,  Richmond,  Va.  :  • 

I  fear  you  do  not  appreciate  the  importance  of  meeting  ordnance 
requisitions  for  this  department.  A  constant  supply  of  field  and 
small-arm  ammunition,  especially  pouch  and  ball,  must  come.  1  want 
one  million  percussion  caps  immediately. 

.     J.   C.  PEMBERTON,  Lieutenant  General. 


Jackson,  April  16,  1863. 
Colonel  GoRGAS,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

I  have  a  battalion  of  sharpshooters  without  arms.  Can  you  let  me 
have  three  hundred  (300)  Enfield  rifles  to  arm  them  with  ?  I  need  a 
number  of  small  arms  for  unarmed  men  in  mv  department. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General,  commanding. 


Jackson,  April  18,  1863. 
Colonel  J.  GoRGAS,  Chief  of  Ordnance,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

If  ammunition  for  the  three  nine-inch  guns  is  not  sent  with  them, 
they  will  be  useless  to  me.  Have  heard  nothing  from  you  of  bolts  for 
the  "Brooks"  gun,  nowhere.  Without  bolts,  it  had  as  well  been 
left  in  Richmond.     I  have  no  coal,  and  am  unable  to  obtain  any. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
■  Lieutenant  General,  commanding. 


106 

Jackson,  April  28,  1863. 
Colonel  J.  GoRGAS,  Chief  of  Ordnance,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

Daily  complaints  are  made  of  friction  primers  sent  to  this  depart- 
ment ;  usually  three  out  of  five  fail.  It  is  worse  than  useless  to  send 
tin  ones  here.  Send  at  least  ten  thousand  (10,000)  copper  ones,  by 
special  messenger,  with  all  haste. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Ueutenant  General,  commanding. 


Jackson,  April  19,  1863. 

Colonel  J.  GoRGAS,  Chief  of  Ordnance,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

The  dimensions  for  eyes  for  shells  are  not  uniform.  Please  have 
the  shells  fixed  with  fuses,  or  have  the  eyes  uniform.  Order  extra 
Babots,  as  many  are  broken  by  railroads  in  transportation.  Diiferent 
arsenals  make  the  eyes  larger  or  smaller  than  prescribed ;  should  be 
corrected.     Friction  primers  frequently  fail, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON,  Lieutenant  General. 


Jackson,  Miss.,  ^jon7  23,  1863. 
Colonel  J.  GoRGAS,  Chi(f  of  Ordnance,  Richmond,  Va.  : 

Have  but  one  (I)  ten-inch  mojtar;  but  can  throw  incendiary  shells 
from  ten  and  eight-inch  columbiads.  Send  me  as  many  as  you  can, 
and  powder,  or  better  cartridges  with  them. 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON,     ' 
Lieutenant  General,  commanding. 


APPENDIX     C. 


List  of  Officers,  Non-commissioned  Officers  end  Er.listed  Men  Specialljf 
Mentioned  for  Gallant  Conduct  in  the  Battle  of  Baker^s  Creek  crA 
During  the  Siege  of  Vicksburg. 


BAKER  S    CREEK. 

Mentioned  by  Major  General  C.  L.  Stevenson. 

Brigadier  General  S.  D.  Lee,  gallant  conduct  during  entire 
engMgement;  having  had  three  horses  shit  under  him. 

Major  Anderson,  chief  of  artillery,  gallantly  falling  in  full  dis- 
charge of  his  duties. 

Captain  Ridley,  company  A,  first  Mississippi  artillery,  fell  fighting 
his  guns  single-handed  and  alone,  winning,  even  from  his  enemies,, 
the  highest  tribute  of  admiration. 

Captains  Corput  and  Johnson  fought  their  batteries  to  the  last 
extremity,  aided  by  non-commissioned  officers  and  men. 

Captain  Waddill,  first  Mississippi  artillery,  fought  his  guns  to  the 
last  extremity,  and  when  his  battery  was  re-taken,  aided  by  Lieu- 
tenant G.  D.  Wise,  ordnance  officer  of  Cummings'  brigade,  fought 
his  guns  until  the  Missourians  had  to  fall  back. 

Major  J.  J.  Reeve,  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  gallant  conduct 
and  coolness  in  leading  men  into  action. 

M;ijor  Webb,  Inspector  G«neral,  gallant  conduct. 

Captain  J.  W.  Matthews,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  gal- 
lant conduct. 

Surgeon  H.  M.  Compton,  gallant  conduct. 

First  Lieutenant  Botts,  gallant  conduct. 

Colonel  G.  A.  Heyward,  volunteer  aid-de-camp,  gallant  conduct. 

Mr.  D.  E.  Noiris,  telegraph  operator,  for  rendering  valuable 
services. 

Private  A.  T.  Sullivan,  for  rendering  valuable  services. 

Mentioned  by  Colonel  Dockcry,   Commanding  Missouri  Brigade. 
Sergeant  R.  H.  Garner,  company  K,  twenty-third  Alabama,  gallant 


108 

conduct.     Unassisted  and  alone,  he  used,  with  good  eifect,   a  

pounder  rifled  hoAvitzer  on  the  flanking  column  of  the  enemy,  firing 
from  twelve  to  fifteen  rounds. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Dismukes  fell  mortally  wounded  while  gallantly 
charging  the  enemy's  batteries. 

Private  Padie,  nineteenth  Arkansas,  gallant  conduct  during  the 
entire  engagement,  keeping  in  front  of  his  regiment  during  the  whole 
day  and  using  his  gun  with  good  efl'ect. 

Mentioned  by   Colonel  Cockrell,   Commanding  Missouri  Brigade. 

Captain  Waddill,  first  Mississippi  artillery,  gallant  conduct. 
.    Captains  Carrington  and  Spangle  and  Lieutenant    Dobbins,  first 
Missouri  infantry,  fell  gallantly  fighting  the  enemy. 

Captain  Mcllvaine,  third  Missouri  infantry,  fell  gallantly  fighting. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Hubble,  third  Missouri,  fell  mortally  wounded 
in  the  hottest  of  the  fight. 

Captain  McKinney,  mortally  wounded  in   the  hottest  of  the  fight. 

Lieutenant  Rankin,  first  Missouri,  mortally  wounded  while  gal- 
lantly fighting. 

Colonel  Riley  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Garland,  first  Missouri, 
gallant  conduct. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Sentry  and  Major  Carter,  second  Missouri, 
gallant  conduct. 

Colonel  Gause  and  Major  McDonald,  third  Missouri,  gallant 
conduct. 

Colonel  McGowan,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Burle  and  Major  Waddill, 
fifth  Missouri,  gallant  conduct. 

Major  Cooper,  sixth  Missouri,  gallant  conduct. 

Captain  W.  M.  Young,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  gallant 
conduct. 

J.  M.  Flannagan,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  gallant 
conduct. 

R.  L.   Maupin,  acting  aid-de-camp,  gallant  conduct. 

DURING    SIEGE    OF    VICKSBURG, 

Mentioned  by  Major  General  Stevenson. 

Brigadier  General  Stephen  D.  Lee,  gallant  conduct  in  repulsing  the 
only  decided  assault  made  on  General  Stevenson's  line  during  the 
siege. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  E.  W,  Pettua,  gallant  conduct  in  leading  charge 
against  the  enemy  in  the  ditch  and  capturing  two  (2)  stands  of  colors 
placed  by  the  enemy  on  the  parapet. 

Colonel  Gayton,  fifty-seventh  Georgia,  gallant  conduct  in  leading 
eally. 

Colonel  Curtis,  forty-first  Georgia,  gallant  conduct  in  picket  fight, 
capturing  one  hundred  and  seven  Federals. 

Colonel  Garrott,  twentieth  Alabama,  killed.  He  was  a  true  soldier 
and  a  gifted  patriot. 

Captain  Claiborne,  artillery  corps,  gallant  conduct ;  killed. 

Lieutenant  G.  D.   Wise,  ordnance  officer  of  Cummings'  brigade, 


109 

gallant  conduct.  Specially  mentioned  for  valuable  services  rendered 
in  carrying  dispatches  to  General  Johnston. 

Major  J  J  Reeve,  A.  A.  G.,  gallant  conduct  and  strict  attention 
to  duty. 

Major  Gillespie,  chief  of  subsistence,  valuable  services  in  subsist- 
ing garrison,  by  close  attention  to  duties. 

Captain  J.  W.  Johnston,  Inspector  General  Light  Artillery,  for 
valuable  services  rendered. 

Captains  Waddill  and  Grayson,  commanding  light  batteries,  valua- 
ble services. 

Captain  P.  Robinson,  engineer  officer,  valuable  services. 

Major  McElwrath,  quartermaster,  valuable  services. 

Mentioned  by  Colonel  Cockrell,   Commarding  Missouri  Brigade. 

Ordnance  Sergeant  William  F.  Luckett,  mortally  wounded  whilst 
carrying  ammunition  through  a  severe  fire. 

Colon*  1  Eugene  Erwin,  killed  whilst  fighting  most  gallantly. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  l\  S.  Sentry,  killed  whilst  fighting  most  gal- 
lantly. 

Lieutenants  Crenshaw  and  Roxbery,  killed  whilst  fighting  gallantly. 

Colonel  A.  C.  Riley  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Garland,  first 
Missouri,  gallant  conduct. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Sentry  and  Major  Carter,  second  Missouri, 
gallant  co'^luct. 

Major  McDowell,  third  Missouri,  gallant  conduct. 

Coloi.el  McGowan  and  Major  Waddill,  third  Missouri,  gallant 
conduct. 

Major  Cooper,  sixth  Missouri,  gallant  conduct. 

Captain  R.  L.  Maupin,  gallant  conduct  and  valuable  services. 

Captain  W.  P.  Pitman,  A.  I.  G.  ;  Captain  IL  N.  Pollard,  A.  A. 
G.,  and  Lieutenant  T.  B    Green,  A.  D.  C,  gallant  conduct. 

Sergeant  Fisher,  Lowe's  Missouri  artillery,  gallant  conduct. 

Mentioned  by.  Colonel  Edward  Uiggins,   Commanding    River  Batteries. 

Captains  J.  P.  Lynch  and  Johnston,  first  Tennc?seo  heavy  artil- 
lery, for  handsomely  handling  their  guns  during  the  entire  siege. 

Major  F.  W.  lioadley,  first  Tennessee  light  artillery,  gallant 
conduct ;  killed. 

Colonel  Jackson,  first  Tennessee  heavy  artillery,  gallant  conduct. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Sterling,  first  Tennessee  heavy  artillery,  gallant 
conduct. 

Major  F.  N   Ogden,   eighth  Louisiana  battalion,  gallant  conduct. 

Captains  Capers,  Bond  and  Bruce,  Lieutenants  Agan,  Woodlif  and 
Conrad,  first  Louisiana  regular  heavy  artillery,  gallant  conduct". 

Lieutenant  Mumford,  A.  A  A.  G  ;  Lieutenant  W.  N.  Bridge,  A. 
A.  I.  G.  ;  Lieutenant  W.  Ycrger,  A.  D.  C,  and  W.  C.  Flynn,  engi- 
neer officer,  valuable  services. 

Sergeant  Thomas  P.  Lynch,  first  Louisiana  artillery,  valuable 
services  as  chief  of  river  police,  always  discharging  his  duties  with 
promptness  and  to  the  full  satisfaction  of  his  commanding  officer. 


110 

Mentioned  by  Colonel  Waul,  Commanding  WauVs  Texas  Legion. 

Captain  Popenderick,  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  and  Lieutenant 
Simmons,  aid-de  camp,  fell  fighting  gallantly  for  their  country. 
Major  Cameron,  gallant  conduct ;  killed. 
Captain  S.  WicKland,  gallant  conduct. 
Captain  Flutas,  first  Louisiana  Zouaves,  gallant  conduct. 

Mentioned  by  Major  General  M.  L.  Smith. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Joy,  chief  of  artillery ;  Major  Devreaux,  A. 
A.  G. ;  Major  Geriault,  A.  I.  G. ;  Major  Fearn,  quartermaster ; 
Captain  M.  McDonald,  ordnance  officer ;  Lieutenant  Frost,  aid-de- 
camp; Lieutenant  Harrod,  aid-de-camp;  Surgeon  Whitfield;  Captain 
Hobart,  volunteer  aid-de-camp,  gallant  conduct  and  very  valuable 
services. 

Mentioned  by  Brigadier  General  Hebert. 

Colonel  Charles  Herrick,  mortally  wounded  ;  gallant  conduct. 
Lieutenant  Charles   A.   Buisle,  aid-de-camp  ;  killed ;  gallant  con- 
duct. 

Lieutenant  Blessing,  engineer  officer ;  killed  ;  gallant  conduct. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON,  Lieutenant  General 


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REPORT  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  STEVENSON. 

Headquarters  Stevenson's  Division,      ; 
Bcmopolis,  Ala.,  July  29,  1863.  J 

Major  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
operation  of  ray  division,  from  its  advance  from  Vicksburg  to  the 
capitulation  of  the  city.  It  has  been  delayed  to  this  time  by  the  8on- 
stant  occupation  of  myself  and  my  subordinate  commanders  during 
the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  by  the  march  which  followed  its  capitu- 
lation. At  about  five  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on  the  16th  of  May,  my  division, 
being  the  rear  of  the  army,  left  its  position  in  line  of  battle  near 
Edward's  Depot,  with  the  view  of  cutting  the  enemy's  line  of  commu- 
nications with  his  depot  of  supplies,  and  forcing  him  to  give  us  battle 
on  our  own  ground  We  reached  the  head  of  the  column  in  bivouac 
on  the  Raymond  road,  at  three  o'clock,  and  there  halted  for  the  night. 

At  sunrise.  I  was  summoned  to  appear  at  headquarters,  where  I 
was  informed  by  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  that  he  had  re- 
ceived instructions  from  General  Johnston  to  join  him  near  Canton  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  that  he  had  decided  to  move  at  once,  in  pursuance 
thereto,  towards  Brounsville,  on  the  north  of  the  railroad,  by  the 
route,  as  far  as  the  railroad,  by  which  we  had  advanced  the  previous 
night.  He  directed  me  to  move  the  trains,  as  rapidly  as  possible,  to 
a  point  at  least  three  miles  beyond  the  Jackson  road,  and  then  halt 
them,  arranged  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  road  in  such  a  manner  as 
would  afford  an  uninterrupted  passage  to  the  infantry  and  artillery. 
I  immediately  caused  the  trains  to  be  turned,  and,  in  charge  of  my 
fourth  brigade,  Colonel  Reynolds,  to  be  moved  rapidly  to  the  rear,  in 
accordance  with  the  instructions  I  had  received.  Colonel  Reynolds 
was  directed  to  place  one  regiment  in  front  of  the  train,  and  to  form 
the  remainder  of  his  brigade  inline  of  battle,  and,  covering  the  Clin- 
ton and  Raymond  roads,  there  to  remain  until  relieved  by  the  next 
brigade  in  his  rear.  It  was  intended  to  hold  these  roads  by  the 
brigades,  as  they  puccesaively  arrived,  until  the  passage  of  the  entire 
army  could  be  effected.  The  success  of  this  movement,  depending 
mainly  on  the  speedy  relief  of  the  road  from  the  obstructions  caused 
by  the  pressure  of  the  train,  I  despatched  two  of  my  staff  officers, 
Majors  Noble  and  Anderson,  to  superintend  the  operations  of  those 
in  charge  of  the  train.  About  nine  and  a  half  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the 
latter  reported  that  the  road  was  open,  the  trains  having  been  placed 
as  ordered,  and  free  for  the  passage  of  the  troops.  This  fact  I  imme- 
diately communicated  to  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding.  About 
nine  o'clock,  A.  M.,  Lee  relieved  Reynolds  on  the  Raymond  and  Clin- 
ton roads,  and  in  a  very  short  time  his  skirmishers  were  engaged  by 
those  of  the  enemy.  A  brisk  skirmish  of  three  quarters  of  an  hour 
developed  our  position  to  the  enemy,  who  at  once  changed  his  direc- 
tion by  the  right  flank,  with  the  view  of  turning  our  left.  My  three 
•brigades — the  fourth,  Colonel  Reynolds,  having  moved  off  with  the 
train — were  immediately  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle,  Barton  on  the 


113 

"right,  Cumniings  in  the  centre,  and  Lee  on  the  left.  As  previously 
stated,  the  line  of  the  march  was  a  cross  road  from  the  Clinton  to 
the  Raymond  road,  intersecting  the  former  nearly  at  right  angles, 
{see  diagram.)  It  was  at  this  fork  that  my  left  rested.  The  enemy, 
in  columns  of  division,  moved  steadily  around  our  left,  forcing  it  to" 
change  direction  to  correspond,  and  their  movement  was  so  rapid  as 
to  keep  my  line  (a  single  one)  in  constant  motion  by  the  left  fliink. 
Of  this  fact  I  informed  the  Lieutenant  General  communding.  and  from 
time  to  time  every  apparent  increase  of  force,  or  ad<lit!on!il  move- 
ment of  the  enemy,  was  promptly  reported.  Finding  that  they 
"were  about  to  concentrate  on  the  left  with  the  larger  part  of  their 
force,  still  moving  a  column  to  the  flank,  as  1  had  no  reserve,  I  moved 
General  Barton,  my  right  brigade,  by  the  rear  to  the  extreme  left. 
At  the  time  this  order  was  given,  the  Lieutenant  Genv?ral  commanding 
was  notified  of  the  fact,  and  was  informed  that  the  enemy  had  massed 
a  large  force  on  the  left,  which  would  doubtless  be  the  main  point  of 
attack.  My  line  had  now  been  moved  to  the  left  until  two  regiments 
of  the  centre,  now  the  right — the  fifty-sixth  Georgia,  Colonel  Wat- 
kins,  and  the  fifty-seventh  Georgia,  Colonel  Burkalos — occupied  the 
Riiymoud  and  Clinton  roads,  with  an  interval  of  three  hundred  (3  0) 
yards  between  them  and  the  remainder  of  their  brigades.  This  sepa- 
ration was  necessary  to  protect  the  right  and  rear  of  the  new  line, 
now  threatened  by  three  roads.  This  new  line,  upon  which  the  attack 
was  made,  was  formed  as  follows:  the  right  rested  at  the  angle  of  the 
original  line,  composed  of  three  (3)  regiments,  the  thi'ty-sixth  Geor- 
gia, Colonel  Glenn,  the  thirty-fourth  (Georgia,  Colonel  Johnson,  and 
the  thirty-ninth  Georgia,  Colonel  McCounell,  of  Cumming's  brigade; 
Lee's  brigade,  the  twentieth  Alabiraa,  Colonel  Gurrett,  the  twi-nty- 
thirJ  Alabama,  Colonel  Beck,  the  thirtieth  Alabama,  Colonel  Shelle3^ 
the  thirty-first  Alabama,  Lieut.  Colonel  Arrington,  occupied  the  centre; 
and  Barton's  brigade,  the  fortieth  Georgia,  Coloiicl  Johnson,  the 
forty-first  Georgia,  Colonel  Curtis,  the  fort^y -second  Georgia,  Colonel 
Henderson,  the  forty-third  Georgi;:,  Colonel  Harris,  and  the  fifty- 
second  Georgia,  Colonel  Phillips,  the  left — the  left  resting  on  Baker's 
Creek,  near  the  bridge.  A  portion  of  Captain  Wa  'dell's  battery  was 
posted  at  the  angle  of  the  line  to  defend  the  approaches  by  the  Clin- 
ton and  Raymond  roads,  and  the  remainder,  with  two  pieces  of  Capt;iin 
Johnston's  battery,  on  the  left  of  Cumming's  brigade.  Captain  Rid- 
ley, with  a  portion  of  his  battery,  was  on  the  left  of  Barton,  as  was 
also  Captain  Corput's  battery.  My  line,  as  will  thus  appear,  was 
necessarily  single,  irregular,  divided,  and  without  reserve.  Under 
the  supposition  that  the  army  was  to  move  forward  in  pursuance  of 
the  instructions  given  in  the  morning,  this  ground  was  not  recon- 
noitored  with  a  view  to  taking  up  a  position  for  battle,  until  we  were 
on  the  move,  facing  the  enemy. 

At  about  ten  atid  a  half  o'clock,  A.  ^L,  a  division  of  tho  enemy,  jia 
columns  of  brigade,  attacked  Lee  and  Cummings.  They  were  h>>,nd- 
goracly  met,  and  forced  back  some  distance,  when  they  were  rein- 
forced, apparently  by  about  three  divisions,  two  of  which  moved  'oi'- 
ward  to  the  attack,  and  the  third  continued  to  march  towards  ♦h*  left 
8 


114 

v?ith  the  view  of  forcing  it.  The  eneiaj.  aow  made  a  vigorous  attaci: 
iu  three  lines  upon  the  whole  front.  They  were  bravely  met,  and  for 
a  long  time  the  unequal  conflict  was  maintained  with  stubborn  reso- 
lution. But  this  could  not  last.  Six  thousand  five  hundred  (6,500) 
men  could  not  hold  permanently  in  check  four  (4)  divisions,  number- 
ing, from  their  own  statements,  about  twenty-five  thousand  men;  and 
were  finally  crushed  by  overwhelming  Euaiibers.  My  right  gave  v,  ay, 
aad  was  pressed  back  upon  the  two  regiments  covering  the  Clintorv 
and  Raymond,  roads,  where  they  were  in  part  rallied.  Encouraged  by 
this  success,  the  enemy  redoubled  his  efforts,  and  pressed  with  the 
utmost  vigor  along  my  line,  forcing  it  back.  At  this  time,  about  tw-c 
arid  a  half  o'clock,  P.  M.,  Bowen's  division  of  Missouri  and  Aifkansas- 
troops.  General  Green  on  the  right  and  Colonel  Cockerell  on  the  left, 
arrived,  aiid  gallantly  charged  the  enemy,  supported  on  the  left  by  a 
portion  of  Cumming's  and  Lee's  brigades,  and  drove  them  back  be- 
yond the  original  line.  In  the  meantime,  the  enemy  had  continued? 
his  line  tr.ovement  to  our  left,  and  fell  upon  Barton  in  overwhelming- 
numbers,  lie  charged  them  gallantly,  but  was  forced  back,  and  the- 
enemy,  following  up  his  advantage,  cut  him  ofi"  entirely  from  the  rest 
of  the  division. 

It  was  here  that  the  lamented  Major  Anderson,  my  chief  of  artil- 
lery, fell  in  the  fearless  discha^rge  of  his  dc.ty.  In  the  very  front  of 
battle  the  brave  soldier,  the  nobis  gentleman,  met  his  death.  There, 
too,  the  gillant  Bidley,  refusing.,  to  leave  his  guns,  single  handed  and 
alone  fought  until  he  fell,  pierced  with  six  shots,  receiving,  even  from 
his  enemies,  the  highest  tribute  of  admiration.  Nothing  could  pro- 
tect t\v  artiller^y  horses  from  the  deadly  fire  of  the  enemy  ;  almost  all 
were  killed,  and  along  ray  whole  line,  the  pieces,  though  fought  with 
desperation,  on  the  part  of  both  ofiicers  and  men,  which  I  cannot 
praise  too  highly,  almcst  all  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  In 
this  manner  the  guns  of  Corput's  and  Johnston's  batteries,  and  Wad- 
deirs  section,  were  lost.  Double  shotted,  they  were  fired  until,  ia 
many  instances,  the  swarms  of  the  enemy  were  in  amongst  ^-hem. 
Officers  and  men  stood  by  them  to  the  very  latest  moment  that  they 
could  be  served,  and  to  Captains  Corput  and  Johnston,  and  to  Lieu- 
tenant Bates,  their  subordinate  officer,  and  men,  I  desire  to  return 
the  thanks  which  their  gallantry  has  made  their  due. 

On  the  extreme  right  the  guns,  under  the  immediate  command  of 
Captain  "Waddell,  were  fought  and  lost  in  the  same  manner,  but  reta,-= 
ken  by  the  Missoariansand  their  brave  officers,  assisted  by  Lieutenant 
G.  D!^  Wise.  One  officer  fought  on.e  of  them  with  his  ovm  hands,. 
until  Bowon,  too,  retreated.  Early  in  the  day  the  forty-second  regi- 
ment Georgia  volunteers,  Colonel  liendorson,  of  Barton's  brigade, 
had  been  sent  to  hold  the  bridge  over  Baker's  Creek.  Barton  wa?. 
moved  to  this  point,  held  it  for  a  time,  and  finally  crossed  and  took 
up  position  near  Edward's  dopot,  which  lie  held  until  nearly  dark. 
Here  he  was  joined  by  many  officers  and  men  of  Cummlngs'  brigade, 
who,  when  driven  from  their  positions  by  the  overwhelming  numbers, 
had  retreated  by  the  same  route  he  took.  The  two  regiments  of 
Cumtnings'  brigade,  which  I  have  before  mentioned,  were  kept  on  the 


us 

Olintoii  -anti  Raymond  roads,  and,  tlins  seperated  from  the  brigade, 
joined  Green's  brigade,  of  Bewen's  division,  in  the  charge  upoa  the 
enemy,  and  remained  with  tbem  until  they  retired. 

When  reinforced  by  Bow  en's  division,  and  the  enemy  were  being 
•driven,  I  infoimcd  the  Lieutenant  General  of  the  fact,  and  asked  that 
Loring's  division  might  be  sent  up  at  once.  The  attack  of  Bowen'a 
divi3ioQ  was  made  about  two  and  a  half  o'clock,  P.  M.  During  the 
attack  of  the  Missourians,  and  when  the  enemy  were  pressing  back  of 
left,  thus  reinforced,  I  met  the  Lieutenant  General  on  the  field,  and 
stated  to  him  that,  unless  Loring's  division  was  brought  up,  we  could 
not  hold  the  field.  lie  replied  that  he  had  been  repeatedly  ordered  to. 
■come  forward,  and  that  he  would  go  in  person  and  hasten  their  move- 
ments. 

About  four  o'clock,  P.  M  ,  Buford's  brigade,  of  Loring's  division,  ^ 

arrived,  bat  not  until  the  enemy  had  taken  pos-ession  of  the  Bay-  % 

mond  road,  and  turned  upon  him  two  captured  batteries.  Several 
pieces  of  Withers'  artillery,  from  a  ridge   nearly   opposite,  opened  a.  ( 

brisk  fire,  and  soon  silenced  them.  About  this  time  I  received  orders 
from  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding,  to  withdraw  the  troops  in 
order  to  Big  Black  bridge.  I  dispatched  this  order  to  my  brigade 
•oommander,  a?.id,  seeing  thai  our  right  and  rear  were  exposed,  I  im- 
mediately went  in  that  direction,  in  order  to  ascertain  if,  as  had  l>een 
reported  to  me,  the  enemy  were  making  a  movement  to  cut  me  o!T  by 
the  .ro«:te  which  we  were  about  to  take.  On  my  return,  I  found  that 
Mazier  General  Loriag  had  arrived,  and  that  the  troops  were  retiring 
in  good  order.  Lee,  with  his  brigade,  and  that  portion  of  my  division 
'which  hatl  not  been  forced  to  move  by  the  bridge,  followed  by  the 
two  brigades  of  Loring,  Bowen  having  passed  by  a  route  a  short  dis- 
tance to  the  right. 

On  my  arrival  about  sunset  at  the  ford  on  Baker's  Creek,  I  found: 
that  the  enemy  had  crossed  the  bridge  above,  and  were  advancing 
artillery  ia  the  direction  of  the  road  on  which  we  were  moving.  One 
battery  had  already  taken  position,  and  was  playing  on  the  road,  but 
at  right  angles,  and  with  too  long  range  to  prevent  the  passage  of 
troops. 

Here  I  found,  on  the  west  side  of  the  brigade  of  General  Green  and 
Oolonel  Cockerell,  of  Bowen's  division,  who  had  there  halted,  and 
taken  up  position  to  hold  the  point  until  Loring's  division  could  cross. 
I  found  Colonel  Scott,  of  the  twelfth  Louisiana  regiment,  of  Loring's 
division,  halted  about  a  half  a  mile  from  the  ford  on  the  east  side,  and 
directed  him  to  cross.  I  then  addressed  a  note  to  General  Loring, 
informing  him  of  what  I  had  done,  telling  him  of  the  change  I  hnd 
caused  Colonel  Scott  to  make  ia  his  p'i!*ition,  stating  that,  with  the. 
troops  then  there,  and  others  that  1  could  collect,  I  would  hold  the- 
ford  and  real  until  hisdivisi  m  could  cross,  and  urging  him  to  haateai 
the  movement. 

To  this  note  I  received  no  answer,  but,  in  a  short  time,  Colo::>el 
Scott  moved  off  his  regiment  cjuickly  in  the  direction  of  his  original 
position,  in  obedience,  I  was  informed,  to  orders  from  General  Lo- 
ring.    Inferring  from   this  that  General   Loring  did  not  intend  to 


3 


116 

cross  at  that  ford,  he  hr.ving  had  ample  time  to  commence  the  more- 
ment,  I  suggested  to  Genera!  Green  and  Colonel  Coclierell  to  movcy 
forward  to  the  railroad  bridge.  My  command  reached  that  point 
about  one  o'clock  that  sight,  and  bivonacked  near  Bovina.  In  th© 
action  of  the  next  morning  my  command  took  no  part.  After  the 
enemy  had  made  their  successful  attack  upon  the  entrenchments  upon 
the  east  side  of  the  j-iver,  I  received  orders  from  the  Lieutenant  Gen- 
eral commanding  to  place  one  of  say  brigades  in  position  on  the 
heights  of  the  Tvest  bank,  to  cover  the  crossing  of  the  troops  who  had 
occupied  the  entrenchments.  Th)s  duty  wa'?  assigned  to  and  executed 
by  'he  command  of  Brigadier  General  Lee. 

At  about  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  I  received  orders  to  take  command  of 
the  army,  and  conduct  its  retreat  to  the  fortifications  aro',:!nd  Vicks- 
burg.  The  brigade  of  Brigadier  General  Baldwin,  of  Smith's  divi- 
sion, was  assigned  to  the  duty  of  bringing  up  the  rear.  Just  before 
getting  into  the  works,  I  was  joined  by  the  brigade  of  Colonel  Rey- 
nolds, to  whom,  as  before  stated,  had  been  entrusted  the  charge  of 
vt,iicxtr.a.i-ns  df  the  whole  army.  He  hrd  crossed  the  Big  Black,  after 
mxtch  difficulty  and  delay,  occasioned  by  the  absence  of  any  facilities- 
for  ^^o  doing  at  Bridgeport.  By  a  mistake  in  the  transmission  of  the 
crder,  the  regiment  of  Colonel  Beck,  Lee's  brigade,  remained  at  the 
Ktvcr,  resisted  the  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  cross  until  eleven  o'clock 
•  of  that  night,  and  only  withdrew  upon  the  receipt  of  peremptory  order. 
The  retreat  was  conducted  in  a  ieisurel}'  and  orderly  manner,  and 
the  tf'oops  entered  the  line  of  fortifications  at  about  three  o'clock, 
IP.  M. 

As  censure  has  been  cast  upon  my  division  for  not  having  fully 
;i-naintai«ed  their  position  at  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  it  is  due  to 
i  them  and  myself  that  I  should  here  record  facts,  connected  with  other 
(parts  of  this  army,  which,  in  my  opinion,  contain  the  explanation  in 
.part,  at  least,  for  this  failure. 

My  divicion  started  early  on    the   morning  of  the  battle,  under  the 
supposition  that  the  army  Avas  about  to  retrace  its   steps  to  join  Gen- 
eral vJoh'.nstos,  north  of  the  railroad,  and  with  that  view  was  weakened 
i'>y  sending  one  brigade  to  the   rear,  in   charge  of  the   whole  baggage 
tram.      Knowing  that  this  movement  exposed  our  flank  to  the  enemy 
.  for  Hcveral    mil6S,  I  prepumed\he    army  would  move   quickly  as  soon 
as   the  road    wasifree  of  trains,  and   accordingly   gave  my  attention, 
vantil  the   engageiaent  commenced,  solely  to  the  roads  herein  referred 
to,  v-'hicli  were   the   only  ones  by  which   the  enemy  could  strike  us. 
At  nine  and  a  half  o'clock  the  road    was  open,  but  I  was  directed  to 
■retaiti  my  three  brigades  in  line  of  battle  until  further  orders. 

The  enemy  engaged  us  at  about  ten  and  a  half  o'clock.  Finding 
that  the  main  attack  was  upon  me,  and  in  vastly  superior  force,  I  dis- 
patched that  information  to  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding,  and 
from  time  to  time  repeatedly  asked  for  reinforcements.  The  three  di- 
visioiis  comprising  our  army  occupied  a  line  of  not  exceeding  two  (2) 
miles,  one  of  them,  Bowen's,  being  at  least  within  hearing  of  the  mus- 
ketry of  the  enemy  in  my  front.  Reinforcements,  Bowen's  division, 
rived  at  about  two  and  a  half  o'clock,.  P.  M.     Loring's  division  did 


117 

not  arrive  ia  time  to  engige  the  enemy.  The  three  brigades  of  my 
division  engaged  were  about  six  thousand  five  hundred  (6,500)  strong. 
The  strength  of  the  enemy,  according  to  their  statements,  was  more 
than  four  times  that  number.  The  non-arrival  of  reinforcements  for 
my  division  early  in  the  day,  in  my  opinion,  was  mainly  the  cause 
of  our  failure  ;  as  to  the  reason  therefor,  it  is  not  for  me  to  express 
an  opinion  here. 

On  the  morning  of  the  eighteenth  of  May,  the  pcition  to  be  held 
by  each  of  the  different  divisions  was  assigned  by  the  Lieutenant 
General  himself.  The  position  of  the  line  of  defence  which  was  as- 
signed to  my  division,  included  the  river  front  and  the  works  south 
of  the  city,  from  the  river  to  the  railroad,  a  line  of  about  five  (5) 
miles  in  length.  Bentcn  occupied  the  river  front  and  the  fortifica- 
tions on  the  right  ;  Reynolds,  those  on  the  right  centre,  to  the  Ilairs 
ferry  road  ;  Cumming's  the  left  centre  ;  and  Lee,  reinforced  by  Waal's 
Texas  legion,  the  extreme  left.  Several  sections  and  companies  of 
■artillery,  not  properly  belonging  to  my  division,  were  posted  on  my 
line.  Captain  Johnston,  (Botetourt  artillery)  company  was  as- 
signed to  duty  as  inspector  general  of  light  artillery,  on  my  staff,  and 
the  artillery,  on  the  right  of  Hall's  ferry  road,  placed  under  the  '  om- 
mand  of  Captain  J.  B.  Grayson,  first  Louisiana  flying  artilh-ry ; 
and  that  on  the  left  under  that  of  Captain  J.  F.  Waddell  of  my  divis- 
ion. 

On  the  evening  of  the  eighteenth  the  enerny  made  his  appearance 
in  front  of  our  lines,  and  immediately  began  to  push  forward  his  sharp- 
shooters. The  number  of  guns,  superiority  of  range  and  metal,  and 
«xhaustles8  supply  of  ammunition,  enabled  them,  in  a  very  short  time, 
to  plant  many  batteries  in  such  commanding  positions  as  to  dainagc 
our  works  matcrialh%  and  inflict  a  very  considerable  loss  amongst 
the  men. 

On  the  morning  of  the  twenty -second  of  May,  many  indications 
showed  that  they  contemplated  an  assault'upon  the  line  of  General 
Lee.  A  tremendous  artillery  fire  was  opened  and  kept  up  for  about 
two  hours,  whilst  the  fire  of  their  larger  force  of  sharpshooters  was 
heavy  and  incessant.  At  about  one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  a  heavy  force 
moved  out  to  the  assault,  making  a  gallant  charge.  They  wore  al- 
lowed to  approach  unmolested  to  within  good  musket  range,  when 
every  available  gun  was  opened  upon  them  with  grape  and  canister, 
and  the  men,  lising  in  the  trenches,  poured  into  their  ranks  vollijy 
after  volley,  with  so  deadly  an  effect  that,  leaving  the  ground  lit-M-ally 
covered  in  some  places  with  their  dead  and  wounded,  they  precipi- 
tately retreated.  An  angle  of  one  of  our  artillery  had  been  breached 
by  th*?ir  artillery  before  the  assault,  and  rendered  untenable.  To- 
wards this  point,  at  the  time  of  the  repulse  of  the  main  body,  a  party 
of  about  sixty  of  the  enemy,  under  the  command  of  a  lieut  riant 
colonel,  made  a  rush,  and  succeeded  in  effecting  a  lodgement  in  'he 
ditch  ai  tlie  foot  of  the  redoubt,  and  planting  two  flags  on  the  dig ;  of 
the  parapet.  The  work  was  constructed  in  such  a  manner  thic  the 
ditch  wa:}  commanded  by  no  part  of  the  line,  and  the  only  mcit  is  by 
which  they  could  be  dislodged,  was  to  retake  the  angle  by  a  dci^pa- 


tl8 

rate  charge,  and  either  kill  or  compel  the  surrender  of  the  whole  party 
by  the  use  of  hand  grenades.  A  call  for  volunteers  for  this  purpose 
was  made,  and  promptly  ,  responded  to  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  E. 
W.  Pettus,  twentieth  Alabama  regiment,  and  about  forty  (40)  men  of 
Waul'a  Texas  legion.  A  more  gallant  feat  than  this  charge  has  not 
illustrated  our  arms  during  the  war.  The  preparations  were  quietly 
and  quickly  made,  but  the  enemy  seemed  at  once  to  divine  our  inten- 
tion*.  and  opene  1  upon  the  angle  a  terrible  fire  of  shot,  shell  and 
mui-ketry.  Undaunted,  this  little  band,  its  chivalrous  commander  at 
its  head,  rushed  upon  the  work,  and,  in  less  time  thin  it  required  to 
describe  it,  it  and  the  flags  were  in  our  possession.  Preparations 
were  then  qui':kly  made  for  the  use  of  hand  grenades,  when  the  enemy 
in  the  ditch,  being  informed  of  our  purpose,  immediately  surren- 
dered. 

From  this  time  forward,  although  on  several  occasions  their  demon- 
stTations  seemed  to  indicate  other  intentions,  the  enemy  relinquished 
all  idea  of  assaulting  us,  and  confined  himself  to  the  more  cautious 
policy  of  a  syt^tera  of  gradual  approaches  and  mining.  The  weak- 
ness of  our  garrison  prevented  anything  like  a  system  of  sallies,  but, 
from  time  to  time,  as  opportunities  offered  and  the  enemy  affected 
lodgments  too  close  to  our  works,  they  were  made  with  spirit  and 
success.  Amongst  them  I  may  particularizea  night  sally  made  under 
comraimd  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Guyton,  of  the  fifty-seventh  Georgia 
regiment,  with  a  portion  of  that  regiment,  and  of  the  forty-third 
Tennessee,  the  former  of  CurLming's,  and  th»  latter  of  Reynold's 
brigade. 

The  enemy  had  entrenched  themselves  at  three  different  points  on 
and  to  the  left  of  Hall's  ferry  road.  The  command  sallied  out,  charged 
tbeir  works  with  admirable  gallantry,  and  took  them  with  consid- 
erable loss  to  the  enemy,  who  were  in  greatly  superior  force.  On  the 
lines  occupied  by  General  Barton  and  Colonel  Reynolds,  the  configu- 
ration of  tl;e  ground  favoring  it,  the  enemy  were  prevented  from 
making  any  close  lodgments  by  a  judicious  system  of  picketing  and 
a  series  of  attacks,  and,  ab.hough  they  sometimes  succeeded,  by  force 
■of  numbers,  in  gaining  favorable  positions,  they  were  invariably  dis- 
possessed by  the  daring  sallies  of  the  garrison.  A  reconnoisance  made  . 
on  the  Warrenton  road,  under  Colonel  Curtis,  forty-first  Georgia,  re- 
sulted in  the  capture  of  one  hundred  and  seven  (.U)7)  of  the  ene- 
my's pickets. 

The  reconnoisance  was  conducted  in  a  manner  which  reflects 
■credit  on  that  able  officer.  I  cannot  find  words  sufficiently  strong 
to  express  the  pride  and  gratification  afforded  me  by  the  dauntless 
spirit  with  which  officers  and  men  encountered  all  the  dangers,  and  by 
the  uaraurmuring  endurance  with  which  they  bore  up  for  forty-seven 
■(4")  sleepless  nights  and  days,  under  all  the  hardships  incident  to 
■their  position.  Confined,  without  a  moments  relief,  from  the  very 
•day  of  their  entrance  into  the  fortifications  to  that  of  the  capitulation 
•of  the  city,  to  the  narrow  trenches;  exposed,  without  shelter,  to  the 
'broiling  sun  and  drenching  rain  ;  subsisting  on  rations  barely  sufficient 
for  the  support  of  life  ;  engaged,  from   the   earliest  dawn   till   dark, 


119 

and  often,  during  the  night,  in  one  ceaseless  eon  Pact  with  the  enemy, 
they  neither  faltered  or  compiaitied,  but  ever  looking  forward  with 
confidence  to  relief,  bcrf-  up  bravely  under  every  privation,  saw 
their  ranks  dcciminated  by  disease  aiid  the  uiissiles  of  the  enemy, 
Vith  the  fortitude  that  adorns  the  soldier,  and  the  spirit  that  becomes 
the  patriot  who  battles  in  a  holy  cause. 

It  was  thus  that  the  true  soldier  and  gifted  pntriot,  Oo'ior.cl  Garrett. 
'of  the  tiiVentitth  Alabama,  died,  as  did  the  brave  Captain  Clniborue,  of 
the  Artillery,  and  many  others,  whose  caiiies  I  canuot  mention  with- 
out extending  this  toport  to  too  great  a,  length.  Tiie  regiment  of 
'Colonel  Garrett  was  lortunatfi  in  having  for  its  successor  Lieutenant 
Colonel  I'^e'tt'us,  an  -oil^'^er  who  deserves,  and  is  competent  to  fill,  a 
'highe'r  'positi-B, 

On  'the  first  of  July  I  received  the  accompanying  confidential  cora- 
'raunication  (marked  A)  from  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding. 
1  immediately  addressed  a  circular  to  my  brigade  commanders,  requir- 
ing their  opinions  on  the  points  suggested  in  the  note  of  the  Com- 
manding General.  Having  received  their  opinions  in  writing,  copies 
of  which  are  appended  marked  B,  C,  D,  E,  I  submitted  the  following 
reply  to  the  Lieutenant  General  : 

IIf-adquautkhs  Stevenson's  Division, 
Vickshurg,  July  2d,  ISG^^i. 
General:  Your  confidential  note  of  yesterday  requesting  me  to 
inform  you  as  to  the  condition  of  ray  troops,  and  their  ability  to 
make  the  marches  and  undergo  the  fatigucr.  necessary  to  accomplish 
a,  successful  evacuation  of  tiie  city,  was  duly  received,  and  I  have  the 
honor  to  state  in  reply  thereto,  that  ray  men  are  very  cheerful,  but 
CrQxn  long  confinement  in  the  trenches  and  fihort  rations  are  neces- 
sarily much  enfeebled,  and  a  considerable  number  would  be  unable  to 
make  the  march  and  undergo  the  fatigues  which  would  proliably  be 
necessary  in  a  successful  evacuation  of  this  city.  If  pressed  by  the 
enemy,  and  it  should  be  necessary  to  place  the  Big  Black  in  our  rear 
in  our  march,  the  chonces  are,  that  a  considerable  number  of  these  men 
•in  the  trenches  would  not  succeed.  I  believe,  however,  that  most  of 
them,  rather  than  be  captured  would  exert  themselves  to  the  utmost 
to  accomplish  it  I  respectfully  transmit  herewith  the  opinions  of 
my  brigade  commanders  on  these  points. 

I  am.,  General,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

C.  L.  Stevenson,  Moj.   Gunral. 

A  council  was  then  called  (on  the  3d  instant,)  by  the  Lieutenant 
General,  in  which  ho  stated  that,  from  information  received  from 
General  Johnston,  all  hope  of  raising  the  siege  of  Vickshurg. must 
bo  abandoned,  and  that  it  was  onlj'  possible  to  save  the  garrisv^i;  The 
opinion  of  those  prosent  was  then  asked  as  to  the  best  manner  of  ac- 
complishing it,  and  it  was  their  unanimous  opinion  that  rather  th;)n 
fiurrender,  the  garrison  would  attempt  to  cut  its  way  out  undt^r  r.!! 
circumstances,  but  that  if  an  honorable  capitulation  could  be  tiLcUMl, 
it  would  be  the  best  and  wiscKt  course,  considering  the  condition  of 
the  men,  as  stated  at  that  time  by  their  commanders  ;  and  it  was  sng- 


120 

geste'l  that  a  communicatiott  should  he  addressetl  to  Major  General 
Grant,  commanding  United  States  forces,  asking  him  to  appoint  com- 
missioners t"0  meet  a  like  number  of  ours  to  agree  upon  terms.  It  was 
consented  to  by  the  Lieutenant  General,  reluctantly,  I  think,  and  a 
communication  was  addressed  to  General  Grant,  which  resulted  in 
the  capitulation.  The  correspondence  between  the  commanders  has 
already  been  made  public.  A  strong  argument  with  us  in  favor  of 
the  capitulation  was,  that  we  would  march  the  army  out  in  tact,  that 
they  would  be  exchanged  in  a  very  short  time,  and  again  be  armed 
and  equipped  for  service.  In  conclutfion,  I  cjesire  to  return  my  thanks 
to  the  oificers  and  men  of  my  command.  I  have  to  thank  my  brigade 
commanders.  Brigp^dier  Generals  Carton,  Cummings  and  Lee,  and  Col- 
onel Reynolds,  as  also  Colonel  Waul  of  the  Texas  legion,  to  whose  eS- 
cient  CO  operation  I  am  greatly  indebted  for  the  successful  defence  of 
my  line  at  Vicksburg,  fur  the  untiring  energy  which  they  displayed 
in  the  management  of  their  brigade?,  and  for  examples  of  devotion, 
intrepidity  and  coolness  under  every  danger,  by  which  they  inspired 
their  men.  It  was  the  fortune  of  Brigadier  General  Lee  to  open  and 
bear  the  brunt  of  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  on  Avhich  occasion  he 
had-  three  horses  shot  under  liim,  and  give  the  splendid  repulse  which  he 
did  to  the  only  decided  assault  of  the  enemy  on  my  line  at  Yicksburg. 
To  Colonel  Reynolds,  as  I  before  stated,  was  entrusted  the  duty  of 
carrying  oft'  the  trains  of  the  entire  army  on  the  day  of  the  battle  of 
Baker's  Creek,  a  charge  which  he  performed  with  the  efficiiency  and 
fidelity  which  was  to  be  expected  from  an  officer  of  his  skill  and  ex- 
pencncc.  Without  an  exception,  during  the  bloody  day  of  Baker's 
Creek,  and  during  the  memorable  siege  of  \''icksb»rg,  the  field  ofii- 
cers  of  my  command  behaved  with  gallantry  and  zeal  which  won  my 
unqualified  admiration  and  esteem. 

It  is  with  deep  regret  that  I  record  the  loss,  in  the  battle  of  the  1 6th, 
of  Colonel  S.  Rice  Harris,  43d  Georgia  regiment  He  was  killed  at  the 
head  of  his  regiment.  I  am  under  obligations  to  Major  II.  Evans,. 
Captain  E.  B.  Smith,  and  Lieutenant  G.  D.  Wise,  who,  by  the  recenlj 
change  of  commanders  in  the  brigades,  were  temporarily  without  as- 
signment, for  their  services  on  the  fifld  of  Baker's  Creek.  jMuch 
against  their  wishes,  Majors  11.  M.  Mathews,  rrdnance  officer,  and 
R.  Orrne,  assistant  quartermaster  of  my  own  staiF,  were  left  in  Vicks- 
burg when  the  division  advanced  to  Baker's  Creek,  as  their  services 
as  the  chiefs  of  their  respective  departments  could  not  be  dispensed 
with  there.  Pre-eminently  distinguished  throughout  the  action  of 
Baker's  Creek,  especially  for  his  indefatigable  efforts  in  rallying  the 
broken  regiments,  taking  them  again  into  action,  was  my  chief  of 
stair,  Major  J.  J.  Reeve.  For  his  active  assistance  to  me  on  that  oc- 
casion, and  the  gallant  and  intelligent  discharge  of  his  duties  day 
and  night  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  I  am  greatly  indebted  to 
him.  Major  Webb,  in}'  inspector  general,  rendered  most  important 
services  in  superintending  the  removal  and  securing  the  safety  of  the 
large  train  that  followed  the  army  to  the  Creek.  Captain  J.  W. 
Matthews,  A.  A.  A.  G.,  chief  surgeon  IT.  M.  Compton,  and  Lieuten- 
ant Botts.  A.  D.   C,  whose   horse  was   shot   under  him  at  Baker's. 


121 

Creek,  were  prompt,  daring  and  energetic  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duties.  Colonel  G.  A.  Hay  ward,  A.  D,  C,  has  my  sincere  thanks 
for  the  many  important  services  he  has  rendered  me  ;  always  ready 
for  the  discharge  of  duty,  he  was  distinguished  for  his  gallantry  on 
the  field  of  Baker's  Creek,  and  after  the  investment  of  the  city,  bore 
important  information  to  Gen.  Johnston,  by  whom  he  was  ret;'incd 
until  the  capitulation.  Mr.  D.  E.  Morris,  telegrajih  operator,  and 
postmaster  A.  T.  Sullivan,  my  secretary,  accompanied  me  upon  the 
field  of  Baker's  Creek,  and  rendered  important  services.  Major  G. 
S.  Gillespie,  chief  of  subsistence,  is  deserving  df  special  commenda- 
tion. To  his  energy,  seal  and  judicious  exertions  we  were  indebted, 
in  my  opinion,  for  the  supplies  which  enabled  us  to  make  so, pro- 
tracted a  defeace  of  Vicksburg.  Captain  J.  W.  Johnston,  in&pector 
general  of  light  artillery,  and  Captains  Waddell  and  Grayson,  com- 
manding artillery  on  the  left  and  right  of  Hall's  Ferry  road  rttpect- 
tively,  were  always  at  their  posts,  and  by  the  intelligeijce  with  which 
they  discharged  their  duties,  contributed  very  mat.  rially  to  the  defence. 
Captain  Robinson,  engineer  officer  in  charge  of  my  line,  performed 
his  duties  promptly  and  efficiently.  Major  McElrath,  acting  quaiter- 
master  of  my  division  during  the  siege,  has  placed  me  under  many 
obligations  by  his  ready  anticipation  of  the  wants  of  the  command, 
and  his  untiring  energy  in  supplying* rhem.  Lieutenant  G.  D.  Wise, 
ordnance  officer  of  Cummings'  brigade,  has  already  been  especially 
mentioned.  During  the  siege  he  was  selected  to  carry  important  dis- 
patches through  the  lines  ol  the  enemy,  and  the  duty  was  success- 
fully performed.  I  recommend  him  to  the  notice  of  the  Lieutenant 
General  as  a  bold  and  intelligent  officer, and  one  who  deserves  a  higher 
position. 

Accompanying  please  find  a  tabular  stiUeuient  of  the  casualties  of 
my  division,  in  the   different  actions  in  which  it   participated   up  to 
the  16th  of  June.     The  absence  of  subordinate  officers  renders  it  im- 
possible for  me  to  give  my  whole  loss  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 
1  am.  Major,  respectfully,  vour  obedient  servant, 

C.  L.  STEVENSON,  Major  GemraL 

Major  R,  W.  Memmi.nger,  A.  A.  G. 


[A.] 

STKlCTLy   CONFIPKNTIAL. 

Headquarters  Department  Mississippi  am)  East  Louisiana,  ) 

Vicksburg,  July  1,    1863        \ 
Major  General  C.  L.  Stevenson  : 

Commanding  Division  : 

General:  Unless  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  is  rsised,  or  supplies 
thrown  in,  it  will  be  necessary  very  shortly  to  evacuate  the  place.  I 
see  no  pro.«pect  of  the  former;  and  there  are  very  great,  if  iif  t  insu- 
perable, obstacles  in   the  way  of  the  latter.     You  are,  therefore,  re- 


122 

quested  to  inform  mej,  with  as  little  delay  as  possible,  as  to  the  con- 
dition of  jonv  troops^  and  their  ability  to  make  the  marches  and 
undergo  the'i%tigue  necessary  to  accomplish  a  successful  evacuation. 
You  will,  of  course,  use  the  utmost  discretion,  whilst  informing  your- 
self,  through  your  subordinates,  upon  all  points  tending  to  a  clear 
elucidation  of  the  subject  of  my  inquiry. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

■  "  J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 

hieutenant  General  commandingi 


m 

TIeadquadters  First  Brigade,  Stevenson's  Division,  ) 

July  ],  1863.      5 

Major  General  Stevenson, 

Commanding  Division  : 

General:  In  reply  to  your  inquir}'  as.  t->  tho  ability  of  my  men  to 
march,  and  undergo  the  f;itigues  and  hardships  incidental  thereto,  I 
have  the  honor  to  state,  that  prcit)ably  half  of  them  are  fit  to  take  the 
field.  The  command  sulfcrs  greatly  from  intermittent  fever,  and  is  gen- 
erally debilitated  from  the  long  exposure  and  inaction  of  the  trenches. 
Of  those  now  reported  for  duty,  fully  one  half  are  now  undergoing 
treatment.  These,  I  think,  are  unfit  for  the  field. 
Very  respectfully, 

S.  M.  BARTON,  Brigadier  General 


[C] 


Headquarters  Third  Brigade,  Stevenson's  Division,  ) 

■  July  I,  1863.      5 

Major  General  C.  L.  Stevenson, 

Commanding,  &c.: 

General:  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  communication,  enclosing  a  copy 
of  a  note  from  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding,  of  this  instant,  in 
the  former  of  which  I  am  direction  to  give  my  opinion,  as  far  as  con- 
cerns my  brigade,  on  several  points  raised  in  the  latter.  As  to  the 
general  facts,  that  the  troops  of  this  brigade  are  in  a  condition  of 
gr'eat  physical  debility  ami  weariness,  it  needs  but  to  see  them  in,  or 
on  their  short  beats  to  and  from,  the  trenches,  to  be  able  to  bear  testi- 
mony to  it.  Everything  beyond  this  assertion  of  a  general  fact,  must, 
of  course,  be  mere  matter  of  opinion  and  conjecture.  After  much  re- 
flection upon  the  subject,  based  upon  my  own  observations,  and  the 
remarks^  casual  and  incidental,  of  the  regimental  commanders,  I  would 


123 

state  the  following  as  the  conclusion  at  which  I  have  arrived  :  From 
Bhortness  of  rations,  greatly  more  than  a  confinement  of  forty-five 
days  to  the  trenches,  under  the  summer  sun  of  a  debilitating  climate, 
few  of  the  men  are  in  their  ordinary  health  and  vigor.  I  am  disposed 
to  believe  that  perhaps  one  in  five  of  the  men  now  reporte  1  for  duty 
in  th^  trenches,  ^yould,  under  different  and  favorable  circumstances, 
be  receiving  medical  treatment;  and  have  less  hesitation  in  declaring 
it  as  my  opinion,  that  of  this  number  of"  duty  for  tlie  trenches,"  ^/7y 
per  centum  would,  on  trial,  be  found  unfit  to  encounter  the  fatigues  in- 
cident to  the  life  of  the  soldier  in  the  field. 

I  am,  General,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  GUMMING S,  Brigadier  General. 


[D.l 


Headquarters,  Second  Brfgade,  Stevenson's  Division, 

l^cnchcs,  J\i]y  1,  1863. 

Major  General  C.  L.  Stevenson, 

Commanding  Division  : 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
note,  enclosing  a  copy  of  one  from  General  Pemberton,  relative  to 
supplies,  &c.;  and  on  the  two  points  involved,  as  far  as  my  brigade  is 
concerned,  will  state  that  I  consider  my  brigade  in  tolerable  condi- 
tion ;  and  though  they  are  weak,  from  forty-five  days'  confinement  in 
the  trenches,  on  scant  diet,  still  I  consider  them  equal  to  UTidergoing 
the  fatigues  which  would  bo  incident  to  our  evacuation  of  this  city, 
taking  in  view  its  importance  and  the  interests  of  our  Confederacy, 
Yours  respectfully, 

S.  I).  LEE,  Brigadier  Ceneral. 


[E.] 


Headquarters  Fourth  Ericade, 
July  1,  186  J. 

Major  General  C.  L.  Stevenson, 

^  Cotn77ianding  Division  : 

Gr.NERAi, :  In  reply  to  your  enquiries  as  to  the  condition  of  my 
troops,  and  their  ability  to  make  the  maiches  and  undergo  the  fatigue 
necessary  to  accomplish  a  successful  evacuation,  I  have  the  hcnor  to 
report,  that  the  condition  of  my  troops  is  not  good.  Owing  to  the  re- 
duced quantity  and  quality  of  tlie  rations  on  which  they  have  sub- 
sisted for  six  months  past,  to  their  close  confinement  in  the  trenches, 
constant  exposure  to  the  intense  heat  of  the  sun,  and  frequent  rainti. 


124 

and  to  impure  water  which  they  are  obliged  to  drink,  my  men  arc 
much  reduced  in  strength,  and,  in  many  ins:;mces,  entirely  prostrated. 
It  wouM  be  utterly  imposs^iblc  for  most  of  them,  to  make  a  forced  march 
of  any  distance.  !Many  cf  my  men  are  in  the  hospital,  ;\ad  mar^y  of 
those  reported  for  duty  in  the  trenches,  are  extremely  weak,  and  un- 
able to  undergo  the  slightest  fatigue.  Perhaps,  on  an  average,  two 
Jiundred  men  from  each  of  ray  regiments,  animated  by  p  itriotic  mo- 
tives, and  a  desire  to  be  free,  might  be  able  to  make  a  march  of  ten  of 
Sfteen  miles,  and  still  be  in  condition  to  give  battle  to  the  enemy;  but 
hardly  more  than  this  number.  The  spirits  of  ray  men  are  goo^l  ;  but 
I  believe  that  they  would,  almost  to  a  man,  be  willing  to  make  vig- 
orous efforts,  and  to  strike  a  bl:w  for  freedom,  but  I  regret  to  say, 
that  two-thirds  are  unable  to  endure  a  march  of  ten  miles. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully 

Your  obedient  servant. 

A.  M.  REYNOLDS. 
Cohml  comm'Miding  Fourth  Ihimde. 


BEPORT  OF  MAJOR  GENERAL  FORNEY. 

Division  IlEADdUAaxERS,  Enterprise,  Miss.,  ) 

July  21,  ISS3.      \ 
Major  R.  W.  Memmint.f.r,   ^ ssistcmt  A(^jutant  General: 

Major  :  In  cotupliauce  -^yith  instructions  of  the  Lieutenant  General 
commanding,  of  this  date,  calling  for  report  of  battles  of  Baker  s 
Creek,  Big  Black,  and  also  the  operations  during  the  siege  of  Vickshiirg^ 
I  have  to  report,  that  on  or  about  the  fourth  of  May,  1  relieved  ]\lajor 
General  Stevenson,  in  command  of  the  second  military  district,  head- 
quarters at  Vickaburg  During  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  on  the 
»lGthof  May,  my  command  consisted  of  the  following  troops,  viz  : 
My  own  division  proper,  (Ilebcrt's  and  Moore's  brigades,)  Major 
General  Smith's  division.  State  troops  under  General  llarris,  Colonel 
Waul's  Texas  legion,  and  the  heavy  artillery,  Colonel  Iliggins  com- 
manding, posted  as  follows  :  General  Ilebert,  with  his  brigade,  occu- 
pied the  line  along  the  Yazoo  river,  from  Haines's  Bluff  to  the  Mia- 
sissippi  river  ;  General  Moore,  with  his  brigade  and  the  State  tioops 
attached,  guarding  the  river  front  at  Vv^arrenton  and  the  approaches 
from  the  lower  ferries  on  Big  Black  river.  One  brigade  of  General 
Smith's  division  was  posted  in  the  city,  guarding  the  river  front.  V\'^ith 
the  other  two  brigades  of  his  division,  with  Waul's  legion  attached, 
General  Smith  guarded  the  approach  to  the  city,  from  KaH's  ferry 
around  to  the  railroad  bridge  on  the  Big  Black  river — the  heavy  ar- 
tillery at  the  batteries  in  town.  Besi<les  these  troops  thus  posted  in 
the  vicinitv  uf  Vickaburg,  there  was  also,  under  my  orders,  ColoneJ 
Ferguson  on  the  upper  Deer  Creek  and  Sunflower  river,  with  a  few 
companies  of  infantry,  a  section  of  artillery,  and  a  small  force  of  cav- 
alry. None  of  these  troops  were  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Baker'a 
Creek.  A  portion  of  General  Smith's  command  was  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Big  Black  bridge.  The  part  taken  by  them  in  that  engnge- 
meat  will  doubtless  be  reported  through  General  Smith. 

SIE(.E    OF    VlCKSBUIiG. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th  of  May.  while  the  main  body  of  tho 
army  were  falling,  back  to  the  entrenchments  around  Vicksburg,  I 
resumid  command  of  my  division  proper,  and  in  pursuance  of  in- 
structions from  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding,  directed  Genera! 
Ilebert  to  prepare  to  evacuate  the  pest  of  Snyder'sMill,  and  to  hurry 
snto  Vicksburg  all  commissary  stores  possible.  For  this  purpose,  all 
available  waggons  were  sent  to  him.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day,  I  was  directed  to  place  my  iroops  iu  the  trenches.  Accordingly, 
Oeneral  Moore's  brigade  was  brought  at  once  from  its  position  near 
Warrcnton,  and  placed  in  tho  cntrenchmrnts  on  either  side  of  the 
Baldwin's  ferry  road.  General  Ilebert  was  directed  to  march  his 
troops  to  Vicksburg,  bringing  with  him  all  ordnance  and  ordnance 
fitorcs  he  could  ;  to  send   up  the  Yazoo  all  boats   at  Haines's  Bluff, 


126 

with  orders  that  they  should  be  fired  rather  than  allowed  to  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy ;  to  send  mounted  men  to  watch  the  ap- 
proaches from  Bridgeport  and  the  railroad  bridge;  and  to  leave  be- 
hind at  Snyder's  a  few  companies,  to  keep  up  a  show  of  occupation, 
with  orders  to  destroy  the  heavy  guns  and  other  public  property,  (pre- 
viously prepared  for  destruction,)  whenever  it  would  become  evident 
that  the  place  would  fall  into  possession  of  the  enemy  ;  and  then  to 
make  the  best  of  their  way  to  Vicksburg,  or  endeavor  to  escape  across 
the  Yazoo.  A  report  of  the  proceedings  of  this  detachment  has,  I 
presume,  been  made  to  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding,  by  Col- 
onel J.  W.  Patton,  who  was  by  him  sent  back  to  attend  to  the  maittor. 
The  detachment  rejoined  its  command  in  Vicksburg,  on  the  morning 
of  the  18th.  General  Ilobert  arrived  in  Vicksburg  with  his  command 
before  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  l^th,  having  succeeded  in 
bringing  with  him  from  Snyder's,  besides  all  the  ligiH  pieces,  two* 
twenty-pounder  Paxrott  and  a  Whitworth  gun.  His  troops  were  soon 
in  the  entrenchments  on  either  side  of  the  Jackson  road.  In  bring- 
ing my  troops  from  their  former  position,  I  directed  them  to  drive 
inside  of  the  fortifications  all  the  beef  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep  that  had 
been  collected  from  the  surrounding  country,  and  squads  of  mounted 
men  had  previously  been  sent  out  i'or  this  purpose. 

On  the  18th  of  May,  at  about  one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  Brigadier  General 
Shoupe,  of  General  Smith's  division,  reported  the  enemy  advancing 
on  his  position,  and  by  the  direction  of  the  Lieutenant  General  two 
of  General  Ilebert's  regiments  were  sent  from  his  right  to  reinforce 
his  h'ft.  The  whole  of  the  division  (the  effective  strength  of  v.hicb 
was  about  four  thousand  seven  hundred,)  were  now  in  the  trenches, 
from  the  railroad  on  the  right  to  the  grave-yard  road  on  the  left,  a  dis- 
tance of  about  two  miles,  (Moore  on  the  right,  Hebert  on  the  left.)  On 
this  hne  there  were  twenty-seven  (27)  pieces  of  artillery,  most  of  which 
were  field  pieces.  This  number  was  afterwards  increased  by  three  or 
four  siege  guns,  placed  in  rear  of  ray  right.  Besides  my  own  troops. 
Colonel  Waul's  Texas  legion  was  also  assigned  to  me,  and  held  in  re- 
serve behind  Moore's  briga(ie.  Brigadier  General  Lee's  brigade,  of 
Major  General  Lee's  division,  was  on  my  immediate  right ;  Brigadier 
General  Shoupe's  brigade,  of  Major  General  Smith's  division,  on  ray 
immediate  left. 

On  the  19th,  the  enemy  made  his  first  assault,  on  my  extreme  left, 
and  extending  along  General  Smith's  division,  lie  was  several  times 
severely  repulsed,  and  finally  fell  back.  By  this  time,  my  division 
front  was  completely  and  closely  invested.  My  skirmishers  were 
withdrawn,  and  skirmishing  prohibited,  (by  order,)  in  order  to  hus- 
band ammunition.  During  the  next  <layj  the  enemy  kept  up  his 
sharpshooting  arid  artillery  fire,  but  made  no  assault.  On  the  22d  of 
May,  he  assaulted  three  points  on  my  line,  as  follows  :  Three  times  on 
ray  extreme  left,  and  extending  to  General  Smith's  front,  twice  on  the 
Jackson  road,  and  twice  on  Baldwin's  ferry  road,  at  eleven,  A.  M., 
and  five,  P.  M,  The  assaults  were  m.ade  by  larger  bodies,  and  appar- 
ently with  greater  determination,  than  those  of  the  19th  of  May. 
Colonel  Waul's  legion  had  previously  been  sent  to  General  Stevenson,, 


127 

but  Green's  brigade^  of  Bowen's  division,  was  in  reserve  behind  mr 
right,  and  assisted  in  repelling  the  attack  at  that  point.  There  \Tere 
also  on  this  day  two  Louisiana  regiments,  of  Smith's  division,  in  re- 
serve behind  my  division.  The  enemy  was  repulsed  in  each  of  his 
attempts,  though  he  succeeded  in  getting  a  few  men  into  our  exterior 
ditches  at  each  point  of  attack,  from  which  they  were,  however,  driven 
before  night.  Hand-grenades  were  used  at  each  point,  with  good  ef- 
fect. A  color-bear.er  and  two  stands  of  colors  were  captured  by  the 
second  Texas  regiment,  of  Moore's  brigade.  On  this  day  the  casual- 
ties in  my  division  were  forty-two  killed  and  ninety-five  wounded. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  must  have  reached  two  thousand.  From  this 
time  to  the  close  of  the  siege,  the  enemy  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  of 
flharpshooting  and  cannonading,  in  the  meantime  planting  batteries 
and  continuing  his  approaches,  the  main  points  being  the  work  on  the 
Baldwin's  ferry  road,  the  one  on  the  Jacksan  road,  and  a  point  mid-- 
way  between  the  grave-yard  and  Jackson  roads.  Approaches  were 
also  made  on  my  extreme  left,  but  this  point  was,  properly  speaking, 
under  the  supervision  of  Major  General  Smith. 

On  or  abrut  the  2d  of  June  my  line  was  contracted  by  closing  in 
to  the  right,  in  consequence  of  its  close  investment,  and  the  reduc- 
tion of  its  numbers  by  casualties,  my  left  now  resting  midway  between 
the  grave-yard  and  Jackson  roads.  The  approaches  at  all  the  above 
mentioned  points  were  brought  to  within  easy  hand-grenade  distance, 
and  mines  were  pushed  forward  under  the  works.  The  enemy  made 
strenuous  efforts  to  possess  himself  of  the  main  works  on  the  Jackson 
road,  defended  by  the  third  Louisiana  regiment,  the  occupation  of 
which  by  him  would  necessitate  the  abandonment  of  our  trenches  for 
a  considerable  distance  to  the  right  and  left,  as  it  would  give  him  an 
enfilade  fire  either  way.  Opposite  this  point  he  planCed  a  number  of 
heavy  siege  guns,  with  which  he  made  a  serious  breach  in  the  parapet 
of  the  redan.  The  fire  of  these  guns  was,  howevir,  in  a  groat  meas- 
ure, diverted  by  the  fire  of  a  ten-inch  mortar  which  we  had  planted 
clcee  to  the  rear  of  our  lines.  We  were  only  permitted  to  retain  this 
mortar  a  few  days,  when  it  was  again  removed  to  the  right,  and  its 
place  supplied  by  a  nine-inch  Dahlgreen  gun,  which  the  enemy  disa- 
bled the  second  day  after  it  opened  fire. 

On  the  25th  June,  at  about  five,  P.  M.»  the  enemy  sprung  his  first 
mine  under  the  parapet  of  this  work.  The  explosion  effected  a  breach, 
through  which  the  enemy  immediately  attempted  to  charge,  but  was 
promptly  and  gallantly  repulsed.  The  sixth  Missouri  regiment,  which 
had  been  held  in  reserve,  was  on  the  spot  immediately  after  the  ex- 
plosion, and  its  commaiidsr,  Colonel'Eugene  Erwin,  was  instantly 
killed  while  attempting  to  lead  a  charge  over  the  works.  Six  men  of 
the  forty-third  Mississippi  regiment,  who  were  in  a  shaft  counter- 
mining at  the  time  of  the  explosion,  were  buried  and  lost.  At  dark 
the  enemy  had  possessed  himself  ^f  the  ditch  and  slope  of  the  para- 
pet, and  our  force  retired  to  an  interior  line,  a  few  feet  back.  This 
point  was  now  reinforced  by  a  part  of  Colonel  CockerclFs  brigade,  of 
Bowen's  division,  and  work  was  resumed  by  the  enemy  and  by  us — 
they  mining  and  we  counter-mining,   until  the  let  of  July,  at  about 


t^8 

one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  the  enemy  sprung  the  second  mine,  -which 
Wits  much  heavier  than  the  first.  The  result  was,  the  entire  demoli- 
tion of  the  redan,  leaving  only  an  immense  chasm  where  it  stood. 
The  greater  portion  of  the  earth  was  thrown  towards  the  enemy,  the 
lino  of  least  resistance  being  in  that  direction.  Our  interior  line  was 
much  injured.  ^  ine  men,  who  were  counter-mining,  were  necessa- 
lily  lost,  and  a  large  number  of  those  manning  the  works  were  killed 
and  wounded.  The  enemy,  however,  made  no  attempt  to  charge, 
teeming  satisfied  with  having  materially  weakened  the  position 

I  understand  that  the  amount  of  powder  used  by  the  enem}  in  this 
exploiLdon  was  one  ton.  While  all  this  was  taking  place  on  the  Jack-' 
son  road,  the  enemy  was  by  no  means  idle  at  other  points.  At  the 
work  on  the  Baldwin's  ferry  road  his  sappers  had  nearly  reached  the 
ditch.  At  this  place  we  sprang  a  counter-mine,  which  was  unfortu- 
nately a  little  premature. 

The  artillery,  though  well  served,  was  but  of  little  advantage  to  us 
during  the  siege.  The  enemy  concentrated  a  heavy  fire,  dismounting 
or  disabling  gun  after  gun.  To  this  fire  we  could  make  but  feeble 
response.  Ammunition  was  scarce,  and  orders  forbade  its  use  except 
against  advancing  columns  of  infantry,  or  batteries  being  planted. 
The  pioportionate  loss  of  officers  and  men  of  the  artillery  was  un- 
usually great. 

On  the  1st  of  July  I  received  a  confidential  note  from  the  Lieuten- 
ant General  commanding,  informing  me  that  unless  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg  was  raised,  or  supplies  thrown  in,  it  would  be  necessary  very 
shortly  to  evacuate  the  place ;  that  he  saw  no  prospect  of  the  former^ 
and  that  very  great,  if  not  insuperable  obstacles,  were  in  the  way  of 
the  latter  ;  and  calling  for  a  report  as  to  the  condition  of  my  troops< 
and  their  ability  to  make  the  marches  and  undergo  the  fatigue  neces- 
sary to  accomplish  a  successful  evacuation.  I  laid  the  matter  clearly 
before  ray  brigade  commanders,  and  they  in  turn  before  their  regi« 
mental  and  battalion  commanders.  It  was  their  unanimous  ©pinion, 
in  which  I  concurred,  that  although  the  spirit  of  the  men  was  good, 
their  physical  condition  and  health  was  so  much  iiupkaired  by  their 
long  confinement  in  narrow  trenches,  without  exercise  and:-  without 
relief,  being  constantly  under  fire,  and  consequently  on  the  alert,  and 
living  upon  greatly  reduced  rations,  that  they  could  not  make  the 
marches  they  would  have  to  make,  nor  fight  the  battles  they  would 
have  to  fight,  against  the  greatly  superior  numbers  that  would  be 
brought  against  them,  in  making  the  attempt  to  break  through  the 
enemy's  lines.  I,  therefore,  favored  a  capitulation,  rather  than  make 
this  attempt,  attended,  as  I  tliought,  with  such  little  hope  of  success. 

Finally,  on  the  4th  of  July,  at  ten,  A.  M.,  in  accordance  with  the 
terras  of  the  capitulation,  my  troops  were  marched  by  regiments  over 
the  entrenchments,  their  arms  stacked  and  left  in  possession  of  the 
enemy,  while  they  returned  to  bivouac  in  rear  of  the  trenches.  The 
siege  of  Vicksburg  was  a  contest  which  tried  more  the  endurance  and 
resolution  of  men,  and  their  company  and  regimental  commanders, 
than  the  skill  of  their  Generals,  My  men,  during  the  siege,  did  their 
duty,  and  their  whole  duty,  to  the  entire  satisfacti«B  of  their  General, 


129 


'uLlttlT/nl  '<^^^^rj.     The  patience  with  which  my  troops 

bmitted  to  the  many  privations  and  hardships  to   which  they  were 

ated  throni'^7''^'*'^  T'f  ^^^  cheerfulness  which  thJy  su  - 

Hebert^'s  brigade,  -  -  _ 

Moore's  brigade,    -  -  . 

Total  killed  and  wounded,  1,140.  "^  ^^''' 

I  enclose  herewith  the  reports  of  the  brigade  commanders   • 
1  liavc  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant 
JOHN  11.   FORNEY,  Major  -General. 


KiUed. 

Wounded. 

2(J3 

480 

72 

385 

REPORT  OF  MAJOK  GENERAL  LORING. 

Headquarters,  Lorikg's  Division,  >• 
Bovina,  Miss.,  May  6,  1863.       V 

To  Major  R.  W.  Memminger,  A.  A.  General: 

I^Ij^jor:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  follotring  report  of  m^' 
connection  with  the  army  recently  at  and  near  Grand  Gulf: 

Agreeable  to  instructions  from  the  Lieutenant  General  commandingj 
1  left  Jackson,  Miss.,  on  the  first  instant,  and  moved  with  dispatch 
in  direction  of  Grand  Gulf,  via  Edward's  Depot,  talcing  with  me  from' 
Big  Black  bridge  two  regiments  of  infantry  and  a  battery  ef  artillery 
of  Tilghraan's  brigade. 

Upon  reaching  Rocky  Springs,  about  eighteen  miles  from  Grand 
Gulf,  we  learned  that  the  force  under  Brigadier  General  Bowen  had' 
fallen   back  before   a   largely  superior   force,    from   the  position   in 
the  direction   of  Port  Gibson,  towards  Grand   Gulf.     Hearing  that'" 
the  enemy  were  approaching  the  Grindstone  ford  with  the  view  of 
turning  our  force,  which  was  then  in  a  cul  de  sac,  we  ordered   the  twc 
regiments   and  battery  to  move   as  rapidly  as  possible  to  the  ford, 
and  hold  it   at  all  hazards,  and   then   hasten  to   the   command    of 
General  Bowenj  which  we  found  in  the  position  reported,  near  Grand  * 
Gulf.     General  Bowen  informed  me  that  his  force  was  about  seven 
thousand  men,  and  then  in  position  opposite  the  enemy,  with  a  bayou 
between  them,  but  that  his  force  was  wholly  inadequate.     Besides, 
that  he  had  but  one  day's  breadstuffs,  and  no  way  of  getting  more,  for  the 
reason  that  the  enemy,  forty  to  fifty  thousand  strong,  were  marching 
a  column  of  twenty  thousand  to  turn  his  rear  by  the  way  of  Grind- 
stone ford  on  the  Bayou  Pierre;  that  they  had  replaced  the  bridges    , 
across  the  intervening  streams,  and  were  then  rapidly  approaching. 
He  placed  in  my  possession  information  and  facts  to  satify  my  mind 
that  the  statements  were  undoubtedly  true.     He  further  informed  me 
that  he  was  fully  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  taking  the  army  out 
of  its  position,  and  had  put  oflF  doing  so,  hearing  that  I  was  coming. 
I  approved  of  his  determination,  and  directed  it  to  be  done  at  once, 
determined  to  fall  back  to  a  position  where  supplies  and  reinforcements 
could  reach  the  army. 

This  had  scarcely  been  determined  upon  when  your  communication 
was  received,  stating  that  the  army  had  fallen  back  towards  Grand  Gulf, 
and  ordering  it  to  move  at  once  out  of  its  position,  and  cross  the  Big 
Black  at  Hankinson's  ferry.  The  necessary  order  was  given  for  the 
movement.  General  Pteynolds  being  sent  with  all  possible  dispatch  to 
Grindstone  ford  with  his  brigade,  it  being  all  important  to  hold  that 
position.  From  some  cause  or  other  this  brigade  failed  to  reach  its 
destination,  and  it  was  left  to  the  regiments  before  mentioned  to  hold 
it,  and  soon  the  command  was  in  motion. 

Subsequently  we  heard  of  Bartoa's  arrival,  it  being  the  first  informa- 
tion we  received  of  his  approach.  I  placed  General  Tilghman  in 
^prninapd  of  a  brigade,  in  addition  to  the  two  regiments  and  the  bat- 


131 

teries  referred  to,  Tvitli  vrliich  he  held  the  enemy  in  clieck  and  drove 
him  back,  after  he  had  crossed  the  Bayou  Pierre,  "with  an  advance  of 
some  fourteen  regiments,  with  large  amount  of  artillery.  The  force, 
with  its  baggage,  in  accordance  with  your  orders,  crossed  Big  Black 
and  there  remained,  (the  other  instructions  having  been  carried  out,) 
its  baggage  being  sent  to  the  rear  to  have  it  out  of  the  way  in  case 
the  enemy  appeared.  During  the  crossing,  and  after  a  large  portion 
of  the  command  was  over,  I  learned  of  the  coming  of  Major  General 
Stevenson  with  a  brigade. 

On  the  following  morning  Brigadier  General  Lee,  being  ordered  to 
bring  up  the  rear,  was  left,  for  that  purpose,  at  the  crossing  of  the 
Big  Black,  and  kepv  the  enemy,  which  proved  to  be  but  a  reconnoiter- 
ing  force,  from  coming  to  this  side  of  the  river,  or  in  any  way  dis- 
turbing our  march. 

The  next  morning,  Monday,  4th  May,  I  received  your  comraunica- 
tion  to  hasten  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  Big  Black  bridge  and  Edward's 
depot,  it  being  feared,  from  information  received,  that  the  enemy  was 
moving  rapidly  in  that  direction.  This  order  was  obeyed.  Subse- . 
quently  an  order  was  received  dividing  the  army,  and  sending  the 
divisions  to  difl'crent  positions.  This  was  done,  and  I  reported  the  . 
facts  to  your  headquarters. 

Very  respectfully,  &c., 

W.  W.  LORING, 
Major  General,  commanding,. 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR   GENERAL  SMITH. 

Mobile,  August  9tli,  1863. 
Major  R.  W.  Memminger  : 

Major:  I  have  the  honor  to'  submit  a  brief  report  of  the  opera- 

-LioDS  of  my  division  during  the  recent  siege  of  Vicksburg. 

The  line  of  defence  surrounding  the  city  was  divided  into  three 
commands,  corresponding  with  the  army  division,  one  of  which  was 
assigned  to  me,  and  constituted  the  left  of  the  line;  the  left  of  my 
division  rested  on  the  river  above  the  city,  and  extended  to  th«  right 
about  one  and  a  half  miles,  where  it  touched  Maj.  General  Forney's  com- 
mand. The  division  consisted  of  three  brigades  :  General  Shoupe 
commanding  the  26th,  27th  and  28th  Louisiana,  on  the  right ;  en- 
eral  Baldwin,  commanding  17th  and  31st  Louisiana,  the  4th  and  4-Qih. 
Mississippi,  occupying  the  centre;  General  Vaughan,  commp-nding 
o'lth,  6  1st  and  6-2d  Tennessee  ;  and  Mississippi  State  troops,  under 
Brigadier  General  Harris,  together  with  a  detachment  of  Loring's 
command  on  the  left.  The  works  occupied  by  me,  and  which  may  be 
termed  my  front,  ran  along  a  narrow  ridge,  and  consisted  of  a  line  of  rifie 
trenches,  with  points  prepared  for  field  artillery.  This  point  was  ra- 
ther strong,  although  parallel  with  it  and  some  six  hundred  yards  dis- 
tant, ran  another  ridge  .of  the  same  elevation,  and  in  every  respect 
similar,  which  was  occupied  by  the  enemy  and  afforded  execellent,  po- 
sitions for  their  batteries,  as  well  as  their  sharpshooters,  and  when 
prepared  with  field  works  looking  in  our  direction,  became  itself,  as 

.  difficult  to  assail  as  our  own  line.  Many  advantages  would  have  re- 
suited  from  occupying  this  parallel  ridge,  and  it  was  included  in  the 

>  system  of  defence,  but  increasing  as  it  did  the  length  of  the  entire 
line  of  defence,  was  abandoned  for  want  of  sufficient  force  to  oc- 
cupy it.  The  enemy  made  his  appearance  before  the  works  on  my 
right  early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  18th  of  May,  and  immediately  at- 
tacked the  position  with  artillery  and  infantry.  Tjiey  were  first  met 
by  the  27th  Louisiana,  subsequently  by  the  1 7th  and  31st  Louisiana 

.  and  4Gth  Mississippi,  in  advance  of  the  line,  and  held  at  bay  until 
dark  terminated  the  attack.  During  the  night  of  the  18th,  my  troops 
and  artillery  wer^  all  withdrawn  within  the  main  lines  and  placed  in 
position,  from  which  they  were. never  for  an  instant  dislodged  during 
the  entire  siege.  On  the  19th,  the  enemy's  main  force  arrived,  and 
proceeded  at  once  to  make  a  direct  assault  oa  my  right,  and  the  first 

■  effort  was  directed  against  the  centre  of  Shoupe's  brigade,  but  being 
exposed  to  a  heavy  and  well  directed  fire,  the  enemy  broke  and 
fled  Reforming  again,  a  second  advance  was  attempted  against  my 
extreme  right,  and  a  bold  effort  made  to  rush  over  and  into  the  works. 
The  assaulting  columns  seemed  to  consist  of  six  or  seven  regitaents, 
and  was  formed  behind  an  elevation,  concealing  it  from  sight.     After 

.  coming  into  view,  it  moved  confidently  and  determinedly  forward. 
The  26th  and  27th  Louisiana,  supported  by  the   Ist  Missouri  in  re- 

;  serve,  received  the  charge  with  a  withering  fire,  and  after  the  second 


183 

volley  the  enemy  fled  in  confasion,  leaving  five  colors  on  the  field,  ana 
strewn  with  the  dead  and  wounded.  One  or  two  feeble  attempts  to 
rally  were  easily  repulsed,  and  the  day  closed  with  their  artillery  and 
sharpshooters  keeping  up  a  continuous  and  heavy  fire.  The  20th  and 
and  21st  were  spent  by  the  enemy  in  erecting  new  batteries,  and  keep- 
ing up  from  daylight  until  dark  the  heaviest  possible  firing,  both  of 
musketry  and  artillery.  The  22d  passed  in  the  same  m  amer,  until 
about  two  P.  M.,  when  a  column  was  discovered  advancing  against  the 
right  of  Sharpe's  brigade  ;  it  was  immediately  driven  back.  Another 
then  appeared  on  the  right  of  the  centre,  this  was  dispersed  without 
great  effort  and  with  considerable  loss.  Again  the  enemy  appeared 
in  increased  force  on  my  ri  :^ht,  and  Forney's  left ;  he  was  promptly 
repulsed,  and  with  heavy  loss.  This  terminated  the  day's  operations, 
with  the  exception  of  the  heavy  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery  kept  up 
until  dark  along  my  entire  front.  After  these  several  decided  repulses, 
the  enemy  seemed  to  have  abandoned  the  idea  of  taking  by  assault, 
and  went  vigorously  at  work  to  thoroughly  invest  and  attack  by  regular 
approaches  ;  and,  the  history  of  one  day  is  pretty  much  the  history  of 
all.  For  the  more  particular  description  of  operations  you  are  respect- 
fully referred  to  the  daily  report  of  operations  handed  in  during  the 
siege.  While  the  opposing  force  was  running  new  parallels,  establishing 
new  works  for  heavy  guns,  and  gradually  nearing  our  lines,  we  were 
strengthening  our  positions,  protecting  the  men  with  traverses  and 
bomb-proofs,  from  the  terrific  fire  of  shot  and  shells  constantly  poured 
in  upon  them,  and  which  only  ceased  at  times  when  the  enemy  seemed 
to  have  temporarily  exhausted  their  supplies  of  ammunition.  The 
fire  of  the  enemy  was  only  occasionally  replied  to,  except  when  there 
were  irrdications  of  an  assault,  or  it  became  necessary  to  retard  or 
stop  operations  on  some  particular  work.  The  limited  amount  of  am- 
munition on  hand  rendered  this  course  necessary,  although  I  am  in- 
clined to  think  caution  in  this  respect  was  pushed  rather  to  an  ex- 
treme, and  that  a  little  more  firing  would  have  proved  beneficial. 
Towards  the  close  of  the  siege,  the  attack  was  mainly  carried  on  by 
mining.  Along  my  front  the  enemy  exploded  no  mines  on  u^  on  the 
contrary,  counter  ones  were  prepared,  and  when  their  galleries  ap- 
proached within  proper  distance,  were  charged  and  fired,  and  it  is  be- 
lieved with  all  the  desired  effect.  The  good  conduct  of  both  officers 
and  men  during  the  forty- seven  days  in  the  trenches  is  worthy  of 
special  praise  ;  neither  one  or  the  other  could  have  behaved  better,  and 
all  credit  is  to  be  accorded  the  Brigadier  Generals  and  the  staff  offi-- 
cers  for  their  vigilance,  activity  and  heroic  example  set  to  their  sol- 
diers. Brigadier  General  Baldwin  received  a  severe  wound  early  in 
the  siege,  but  reported  for  duty  before  its  close,  and,  together  with 
General  Shoupe,  receives  my  special  acknowledgments  for  gallant  ser- 
vices. The  heaviest  and  most  dangerous  attack  was  on  the  extreme- 
right,  and  nobly  did  the  26th,  27th,  28th,  and  31st  Louisiana  repel 
and  endure  it.  The  casualties  among  the  officers  of  these  regiments 
indicate  the  nature  of  the  defence  required.  Inthe2Gth  Louisiana,. 
Major  Martin,  one  captain  and  two  lieutenants  killed.  Colonel  W. 
Hall,  seriously  wounded  ;  in  the  27th  Louisiana,  Lieutenant  Colonel 


*  134 

McLaurin,  one  captain,  one  lieutenant  killed ;  Colonel  L.  B.  Marks 
dangerously  ;  Major  Norwood,  one  captain  one  lieutenant  severely 
wounded ;  in  the  2Sth,  one  lieutenant  killed,  and  three  lieutenants 
wounded  ;  in  the  31st,  Colonel  Griffin  Avounded.  Circumstances  aris- 
ing out  of  Lieut.  General  Pemberton's  orders  have  prevented  my  ob- 
taining reports  from  Brigadier  Generals  Baldwin  and  Vaughan  ;  hence 
to  continue  the  enumeration  further  is  impossible  at  present,  and 
from  the  same  cause,  my  report  is  probably  less  complete  than  if, 
since  my  arrival  from  Vicksburg,  where  I  was  detained  until  the  1st 
instant,  time  and  opportunity  had  been  afforded  me  for  hearing  from 
my  division  brigadiers.  Of  the  following  named  officers  composing 
my  staff,  1  have  to  speak  in  terms  of  unqualified  satisfaction  ;  all  did 
their  duty  intelligently,  fearlessly,  promptly  and  efficiently  :  Lieut. 
Colonel  Joy,  chief  of  artillery,  Major  Devereux,  A.  A.  G.,  Major 
Girault,  inspector  general.  Major  Fearn,  division  quartermaster,  Cap- 
tain McDonalu,  ordnance  officer.  Lieutenant  Frost  and  Lieutenant 
Ilarrod,  aid  ;  and  Captain  Hobart,  volunteer  aid,  also  Surgeon  Whit- 
field, acting  division  surgeon. 

To  the  brave  Colonel  Marks  and  his  gallant  regiment  (27th  Lou- 
isiana) belongs  the  distinction  of  taking  the  first  colors,  prisoners  and 
arms  lost  by  the  enemy  during  the  siege.  The  conduct  of  the  entire 
division  was  most  exemplary,  and  its  courage  and  cheerfulness  in- 
creased if  possible  from  day  to  day,  under  the  hardships  and  priva- 
tions of  the  siege, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

M.  L.  SMITH,  3Iajor  General,  C.  S.  A, 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  BOWEN. 

Headquarters  Grand  Gl-lf,  ^ 
May  2,  1863.       S 
Major  R,  W.  Memminger,  A.  A.  G. : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  synopsis  of  the  bat- 
tle of  Port  Gibson,  fought  by  a  portion  of  my  comman'l.  on  the  firrt 
of  May.  186^.  The  whole  of  the  night  before,  the  enemy  were  land- 
ing troops  at  Bruinsburg,  just  south  of  the  mouth  of  Bayou  Pierre. 
From  that  point  several  roads  could  be  reached  by  the  enemy,  all  cen- 
treing at  Port  Gibson.  General  Green  had  been  sent  out  on  the  Bru- 
insburg  road  the  day  before,  with  a  force  of  about  one  thousand  men. 
The  enemy  attacked  him  at  one,  A.  M.,  and  after  a  brisk  skirmish  of 
two  hours  and  a  half  duration,  were  repuh-^ed.  They  continually  re- 
■ccived  fresh  troops,  and  rene>ved  the  attack  at  daylight  on  General 
Green's  position.  In  the  meantime.  General  Tracey  had  arrived  and 
taken  position.  This  force,  nominally  twenty- two  hundred,  was  really 
not  more  than  fifteen  hundred,  and  the  men  were  completely  jaded 
and  broken  down  >\ith  continuous  marching.  The  enemy's  attack  was 
sustained  with  great  bravery,  until  between  nine  and  ten  o'clock, 
when,  overwhelmed  by  numbers  and  flanked  on  the  right  and  lefn, 
General  Green  had  to  fall  back.  Courier  after  courier  had  been  sent 
for  General  Baldwin,  but  his  troops  were  so  utterly  exhausted  that  he 
could  not  get  up  in  time  to  prevent  this.  General  Traccy's  position 
on  the  right  was  maintained.  lie  himself  was  killed  early  in  the  ac- 
tion. All  General  Green's  artillery  ammunition  was  exhausted  when 
he  fell  back.  The  enemy  captured  two  pieces  of  the  Virginia  battery, 
on  General  Tracey 's  left  and  Green's  right.  Just  as  the  retreat  was 
taking  place,  General  Baldwin  arrived.  I  ordered  him  to  form  a  new 
line  about  one  mile  in  rear  ©f  General  Green's  first  position,  and  sent 
the  latter  to  the  right  to  assist  General  Tracey.  ('eneral  Baldwin 
had  no  artillery,  and  that  ordered  up  from  Grand  Gulf  had  not  ar- 
rived. Colonel  Cockrell,  with  three  Missouri  regiments,  came  up  soon 
after.  Two  were  sent  to  the  left,  and  one  to  the  right.  Ammunition 
was  scarce,  especially  in  General  Tracey's  command,  their  ordnance 
train  not  having  arrived.  I  now  had  all  the  force  at  my  command  on 
the  field,  excepting  three  regiments  and  two  battalions,  which  occu- 
pied positions  which  I  could  not  remove  them  from  until  the  last  mo- 
ment. I  (jrdered  them  up  about  one  o'clock,  but  only  one  of  them 
arrived  in  time  to  cover  the  retreat  and  burn  the  bridges.  Betw-een 
twelve  and  one  o'clock  I  attempted,  with  two  of  Colonel  CockrelTs 
regiments,  to  turn  the  enemy's  right  flank,  and  nearly  succeeded. 
They  formed  three  brigades  in  front  of  a  battery  to  receive  our  charge. 
The  first  was  routed,  the  second  wavered,  but  the  third  stood  firm, 
and  after  a  long  and  desperate  contest,  we  had  to  give  up  the  attempt. 
I  am  of  opinion,  however,  that  this  attack  saved  the  right  from  boin" 
overwhelmed,  and  kept  the  enemy  back  until  nearly  sunset.  All  day 
long  the  fight  raged  fiercely,  our  men  every  where  maintaining  their 


136 

ground,  and  I  hoped  that  I  could  hold  it  until  after  dark.  Just  before 
sunset  a  desperate  attack  was  made  bv  the  enemy,  they  having  again 
received  fresh  troops.  My  right  was  forced  to  give  ground,  and  I 
was  reluctantly  compelled  to  fall  back.  The  order  was  given  and 
executed  without  confusion,  General  Baldwin,  who  held  the  centre, 
bringing  up  the  rear.  The  enemy  attempted  no  pursuit,  and  all 
crossed  in  safety  to  this  side  of  Bayou  Pierre,  destroying  the  bridges 
behind  us.  General  Baldwin,  misled  by  the  burning  of  the  railroad 
bridge,  and  by  rumors  that  it  was  the  suspension  bridge,  took  the  road 
due  north  through  Port  Gibson,  instead  of  the  Grand  Gulf  road,  and 
unfortunately  destroyed  the  bridge  over  the  north  fork  of  Bayou 
Pierre,  cutting  me  off  from  most  of  the  meat,  which  had  been  sent 
between  the  two  forks  for  safety.  I  had  sent  a  train  around  to  bring 
it  all  here,  and  some  of  the  wagons  were  cut  off.  They  are  coming 
in,  however^  and  I  expect  none  will  be  lost.  I  am  endeavoring  to  get 
it  over  a  ferry  on  North  Fork,  and  if  1  do  not  succeed,  shall,  at  all 
events,  try  to  destroy  it.  I  ordered  all  the  commissary  stores  left  in 
town,  mainly  corn,  to  be  burned. 

I  can  give  no  estimate  of  losses,  returns  not  having  been  handed 
in,  but  they  must  be  severe.  A  section  of  the  Virginia  battery  was 
captured  by  the  enemy,  and  not  retaken,  as  reported.  Two  more 
pieces  had  to  be  left,  from  want  of  horses,  all  having  been  killed. 
The  men  endeavored  to  drag  the  pieces  off  by  hand,  but  had  to  leave 
them.  The  Hudson  battery  brought  off  all  their  pieces,  but  had  lost 
so  many  horses  they  were  compelled  to  abandon  their  caissons.  This 
battery  suffered  severely,  having  twenty  men  wounded.  Nearly  all 
the  missing  of  the  whole  command  can  be  considered  among  the  killed 
sud  wounded,  as  very  few  prisoners  were  taken. 

The  enemy  have  refused  to  allow   me  to  bury  the  dead  or  visit  the 
wounded,  beyond   the  mere   sending  of  surgeons,  who  are  to  remain, 
I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  S.  BOWEN, 
Brigadier  General  commanding. 

P.  S. — Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  ascertained  that  the  enemy's 
force  engaged  exceeded  twenty  thousand,  while  my  own  did  not  num- 
ber over  fifty-five  hundred. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  MOORE. 

Headquarters  Moore's  Brigade,  Forney's  Division, 
Vicksburg,  July  8th,  1863. 

Major  S.  Groom,  A.  A.  G.  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  follovfing  report  of  the  part 
taken  by  my  brigade  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  The  brigade 
during  this  time  was  composed  of  the  second  Texas,  thirty-fifth 
and  fortieth  Mississippi,  the  thirty-seventh,  fortieth,  and  forty-second 
Alabama,  Longstreet  and  Tobin's  light  batteries,  and  a  portion  of 
Land's,  Ridley's,  David-^on's,  and  Wall's  batteries,  in  all  ninr^tccn 
guns.  An  eighteen  pound  and  thirty-pound  Parrott  and  a  Whit  • 
worth  gun  were  placed,  during  the  siege,  in  rear  on  my  line  and  com- 
manded by  Captain  Cowan.  On  the  evening  of  the  13th  of  Ma}^  we 
were  ordered  to  fall  back  from  the  position  Ave  occupied  with  the  bri- 
gade and  two  batteries  on  the  Warrenton  road,  and  took  a  po.^ition  in 
the  trenches  near  Vicksburg,  the  right  resting  on  the  Jackson  rail- 
road, and  the  left  extending  to  near  what  is  known  as  the  Jackson 
road.  We  found  the  trenches  and  redoubt  in  a  very  imperfect  state, 
the  trenches  being  too  long  and  shallow.  By  working  at  night  with 
the  small  number  of  tools  in  our  possession,  we  soon  greatly  improved 
thcra  ;  also  constructed  approaches,  which  seem  to  have  been  over- 
looked or  deemed  unnecessary. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th  of  May,  the  enemy  engaged  and 
drove  in  our  picket.  At  about  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  their  skirmish- 
ers and  artillery  opened  in  front  of  our  entrenchments.  From  this 
time  to  the  close  of  the  siege,  forty-nine  days,  our  men  were  con- 
fined to  the  trenches  night  and  day,  under  a  fire  of  musketry  and 
artillery,  which  was  often  kept  up  during  the  whole  night  as  well  as 
day.  Only  those  who  were  a  near  witness  of  the  siege  of  A'^icksburg 
will  ever  have  a  true  conception  of  the  endurance  and  suffering  of 
those  men,  who  staid  at  their  post  until  overpowered,  not  by  the 
enemy,  but  by  the  wants  of  nature.  Those  who  only  think  and  read 
of  the  siege,  and  those  who  witnessed  and  shared  its  trials,  may,  per- 
haps, form  widely  different  conceptions  of  its  nature.  Some  idea  may 
be  formed  of  the  artillery  fire  to  which  we  were  exposed,  when  I  state  , 
that  a  small  party,  sent  out  for  that  purpose,  collected  some  two  thou- 
sand shells  near  and  in  rear  of  the  trenches  occupied  by  our  brigade. 
This  was  soon  after  the  siege  begun,  and  was  but  a  portion  of  those 
that  failed  to  explode.  On  arriving  in  our  front,  the  enemy  began  at 
once  to  place  their  guns  under  cover,  and  to  Construct  rifle  pits.  No 
attempt  was  made  to  carry  our  lines  by  assault  until  the  22d  of  May. 
On  the  morning  and  afternoon  of  that  day  they  made  determined 
assaults,  but  were  gloriously  repulsed.  Their  greatest  efforts  were 
made  against  that  portion  of  the  line  occupied  by  that  veteran  and 
gallant  regiment,  the  second  Texas.  This  regiment  was  nobly  sup- 
ported by  the  forty-second  Alabama,  occupying  the  trenches  on  their 


138  • 

right,  and  the  thirty-seventh  Alabama  on  the  left.  Tobin's  and  other 
guns  did  good  service.  They  were  easily  repulsed  in  the  morning, 
but  in  the  afternoon  charge  they  were  more  determined,  coming  up 
and  even  into  the  outer  ditch  of  the  second  Texas  redoubt.  The 
second  Texas  captured  two  stand  of  colors.  Having  failed  to  carry 
our  works  by  assault,  the  enemy  now  appeared  to  determine  not  to 
attempt  it  again,  but  to  take  us  by  regular  approaches,  cr  by  starving 
us  out,  which  latter  thej  doubtless  regarded  as  the  most  certain  and 
agreeable  mode,  as  they  did  not  assault  again  even  after  they  had' 
constructed  their  line  of  entrenchments  in  front  of  a  great  portion  of 
our  line,  and  had  sapped  to  within  thirty  feet  of  the  Texas  works,  and 
constructed  rifle  pits  to  within  thirty  paces  of  the  same.  From  the 
22d  of  May  to  the  close  of  the  siege,  July  4th,  the  history  of  each 
day  was  generally  but  that  of  the  preceding.  I  cannot  speak  too 
highly  of  the  conduct  of  the  officers  and  men.  None  ever  endured 
such  hardships  with  more  cheerfulness.  "When  their  allowance  was 
reduced  to  near  quarter  rations,  some  complaints  might  have  beca 
heard;  not  that  more  was  not   issued,  but  that  we  had  it  not  to  give. 

'  By  this  time  their  minds  and  bodies  seemed  exhausted,  and  many 
remained  at  their  post  when  they  were  fit  subjects  for  the  hopital. 
Only  those  who  have  tried  it  can  tell  the  effects  produced  on  men  by 
keeping  them  forty-seven  days  and  nights  in  a  narrow  ditch,  exposed 
to  the  scorching  heat  during  the  day,  and  often  chilly  air  and  dew  of 
night.  In  compliance  with  instructions  received  during  the  early 
part  of  the  siege,  we  used  our  ammunition  with  a  strict  regard  to 
economy.  This  enabled  the  enemy  to  approach  more  rapidly  and 
with  greater  impunity  than  they  otherwise  could  have  done.  They 
had  two  or  three  times  as  many  guns  as  we,  and  generally  of  much 
heavier  calibre.  Many  of  their  shots  passed  through  and  through 
our  parapets.  Being  very  near  our  works,  their  sharpshooters  and 
artillery  rendered  it  frequently  impossible  to  fire  more  than  a  few 
rounds  during  the  day,  for  if  our  cannoniers  were  not  shot  down  or 
pieces  disabled,  their  artillery  soon  filled  the  embrazures  with  earth 
so  that  the  guns  could  not  be  used  until  night  enabled  us  to  repair 
the  works. 

Our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  as  follows :  Killed,  seventy- 
two  ;  wounded,  three  hundred  and  eighty-five ;  total,  four  hundred 
and  fifty-seven.  A  number  of  the  wounded  have  died  in  hospitals 
and  not  included  in    the   killed  above  reported.     List  of  killed  and 

^wounded  has  been  furnished, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
JOHN  C.  MOORE, 

Brigadier  General. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  BARTON. 

Headquarters  First  Brigade,  Stevenson's  Division, 

Vicksburg,  June  18,  1863, 

Major  J.  J.  Reeve,  A.  A.  G.  : 

Major  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  part 
borne  by  this  brigade  in  the  action  of  the  IGth  ultimo  : 

I  was  directed,  early  in  the  day,  to  detach  a  regiment  and  a  section 
of  artillery,  to  hold  the  bridge  over  Baker's  Creek,  some  two  miles  to 
the  left  and  rear  on  the  line  of  march.  Henderson's  forty-second 
Georgia,  and  Lieutenant  Sharkey's  section  of  (Tompany  A,  first  Mis- 
sissippi artillery,  were  selected  and  posted.  The  remainder  of  the 
brigade  remained  inactive,  save  an  occasional  change  of  position,  till 
near  noon,  when  it  was  ordered  to  the  left  to  support  General  Lee, 
then  pressed.  The  distance,  about  one  and  a  half  miles,  was  passed 
at  double  quick,  troops  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  Lee's  left,  and  ad- 
vanced as  rapidly  as  the  nature  of  the  ground  would  admit.  Corput's 
battery  (four  rifles)  was  posted  near  the  road,  about  six  hundred  yards 
from  the  bridge,  my  left  resting  on  it,  and  my  right  on  Lee's  left. 
The  position  was  not  a  good  one  :  the  country  much  broken,  and  cov- 
ered in  most  part  with  dense  woods.  The  enemy  having  turned  Lee's 
left  flank,  w^ere  already  in  the. timber,  pressing  vigorously  forward. 
"With  impetuous  gallantry,  the  fortieth,  forty-first,  and  forty-third 
Georgia  regiments  dashed  upon  the  enemy's  line,  broke  it,  and 
drove  it  back  about  three  hundred  yards.  It  was  here  reinforced  by 
his  second  and  third  lines,  and  my  further  advance  was  checked.  I 
had  reserved  the  fifty-second  Georgia  on  the  left,  to  protect  the  flank. 
It  was  now  moved  up  rapidly,  and  in  handsome  style  engaged  a  brig- 
ade that  was  turning  the  left.  The  troops  on  my  right  now  gave  way, 
and  my  right  flank  was  soon  turned  and  overwhelmed.  The  left  was 
in  like  manner  enveloped,  and  a  heavy  fire  poured  in  from  the  rear. 
Having  vainly  endeavored  to  cover  the  left  with  the  forty-second  reg- 
iment, brought  forward  for  the  purpose,  I  was  compelled  to  fall  back. 
The  enemy  had  so  nearly  surrounded  the  whole  brigade,  that  this 
movement  was  necessarily  accompanied  with  some  confusion.  The 
fortieth  and  forty-second  regiments,  however,  came  out  with  unbroken 
ranks.  The  brigade  had  been  terribly  handled.  Corput's  battery, 
posted  near  the  road  on  the  left,  was  beautifully  served  Its  horses 
and  many  men  were  killed,  and  finding  it  impossible  to  save  the  guns, 
they  were  fired  with  double  canister  to  the  last,  and  abandoned  only 
when  they  could  be  no  longer  used.  I  retired  across  Baker's  Creek, 
posting  the  few  troops  remaining  so  as  to  com.mar.d  the  bridge,  and 
held  that  position  till  all  had  crossed  at  the  ford  below,  about  four,  P. 
M.  I  then  fell  back  to  Edward's  Depot,  (two  miles,)  and  covered  the 
approach  to  that  place  till  dark.  The  enemy,  who  crossed  immedi- 
ately on  our  withdrawal  from  the  bridge,  followed  and  attacked  at  this 
place,  but  failed  to  dislodge  us.     All  of  our  troops  having  passed,  and 


140 

all  property  at  the  depot  removed  or  destroyed,  I  took  up  the  line  of- 
march  at  nightfall,  and  joined  the  army  at  Big  Black  bridge    at  one 
A.  M.,  on  the  17th.  &  >  > 

I  take  pleasure  in  naming  the  following  officers  for  marked  and  dis- 
tinguished gallantry  :  Colonels  Harris,  forty-third,  wounded  and  a 
prisonor;  Curtis,  forty-first;  Phillips,  fifty-second,  missing;  Hen- 
derson, forty-second  ;  Johnson,  fortieth,  (sick  and  unable  to  command, 
but  present  and  cheering  his  men  ;)  Lieutenant  Colonel  Young,  com- 
manding fortieth  Georgia;  Majors  Camp,  fortieth;  Hulsey,  forty- 
second;  Nail,  forty-first ;  Captain  Corput;  Captain  J.  W.  Johnston 
and  Lieutenant  Sharkey,  of  the  artillery ;  Captain  Thom,  my  A.  A. 
G.  ;  Lieutenant  Lyons,  A.  D.  C. ;  R.  F.  Patterson,  W.  Norcum,  and 
C.  L.  Thompson,  acting  A.  D.  0.  The  heavy  loss  of  the  brigade,  over 
forty-two  per  cent.,  is  the  best  evidence  I  can  give  of  the  good  be- 
havior of  the  men. 

I  am,  Major,  Very  respectfully,  your  obelient  servant, 

S.  M.  BARTON,     . 
Brigadier  General. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  IIEBERT. 

Headquarters  IIebert's  Division, 
•  Vickshurg,  Julj  9,  1863. 

Major  S,  Groom, 

A,  A.  G.,  Forney'' s  Division  : 

Major  :  I  have  the  honor  respectfully  to  submit  the  following  re^ 
ports  :  On  the  17th  day  of  last  May,  I  was  stationed  at  Snyder's  Mill, 
on  the  Ya2oo  river,  in  command  of  the  Confederate  forces  at  that  point. 
This  position  I  had  occupied  since  the  2d  of  January.  On  the  ITth 
of  May,  at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  I  received  orders  to  prepare  to 
evacuate  the  place,  and  to  send  into  Vicksburg  the  commissary  stores, 
and  to  have  driven  in  all  the  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep,  that  could  be 
gathered  in  the  country.  Having  but  a  small  number  of  wagons,  and 
but  a  few  mounted  men,  I,  however,  commenced  carrying  out  my  in- 
structions, as  far  as  practicable.  At  quarter  of  three,  P.  M.,  I  re- 
ceived orders  to  send  to  Vicksburg  all  ordnance  stores,  and  prepar: 
to  spike  or  destroy  the  heavy  guns.  All  remaining  wagons  were 
loaded  witli  ordnance  stores,  and  Colonel  J.  M.  Patton  put  to  work  to 
prepare  tkc  guns  for  spiking  or  destruction  ;  Colonel  Patton  was  the 
commander  of  my  heavy  artillery.  At  five-and-a-half  o'clock,  P.  M., 
I  received  the  orders  to  march  my  command  to  Vicksburg,  leaving 
two  companies  at  Snyder's  Mill,  under  an  efficient  officer,  to  keep  up 
a  show  of  occupation,  and  to  spike  or  destroy  the  guns,  and  destroy 
remaining  stores,  when  the  enemy  would  be  discovered  approaching 
the  position.  At  the  same  time,  I  was  ordered  to  send  all  our  trans- 
ports and  store-boats,  then  at  Ilayues'  Bluff,  to  the  upper  Yazoo, 
above  Fort  Pembcrton.  All  the  boats  left  in  the  evening  and  night, 
c?/rryingoff  such  stores  as  were  on  board  at  the  time.  Lieutenant  Co- 
lonel J.  F.  Plattsraire,  with  two  companies  of  his  regiment,  the  twenty- 
first  Louisiana,  was  assigned  to  the  duty  cf  holding  the  place  and  of 
destroying  the  guns  and  stores  remaining,  when  the  necessity  for  so 
doing  occurred.  Having  made  all  arrangements  possible,  under  ex- 
isting circumstances,  with  reference  to  the  post  of  Snyder's  Mill,  I 
moved  with  my  command — seven-and-a-half  o'clock,  P.  M. — by  the 
valley  road,  to  Vicksburg,  where  I  reported  myself  at  two-and-a-half 
o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  18th  of  May.  I  was  immediately  or- 
dered to  the  trenches,  with  instructions  to  occupy  the  line,  commenc- 
ing with  the  works  on  the  immediate  right  of  the  Jackson  road,  and 
extending  to  the  left  so  as  to  occupy  the  main  redan  on  the.  grave-yard 
road.  These  dispositions  were  all  made  by  eight  o'clock,  in  the  morn- 
ing. I  found  in  the  main  redan,  on  the  left  of  the  Jackson  road,  one 
twenty-pounder  Parrott  gun,  of  Waddell's  artillery,  under  Lieutenant 
Bate.'*.  Early  in  the  day,  Lieutenant  J.  M.  Patton  received  orders 
directly  from  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding,  to  return  to  Sny- 
der's ^Iill  for  the  purpose  of  disposing  of  the  guns  and  stores  left 
there.     These   orders  relieved  Lieutenant  Colonel  Plattsmire  of  the 


142 

charge  I  had  assigned  him,  and  I  have,  therefore,  no  report  to  make 
of  ■vfhat  was  really  finally  abandoned  at  Snyder's  Mill. 

On  the  18th  of  May,  soon  after  my  command  had  been  placed  in 
the  trenches,  the  enemy  made  his  appearance  iu  front  of  my  line, 
pressing  forward  on  the  grave-^ard  road,  as  if  intending  an  assault. 
Taking  one  regiment  and  one  battalion  from  my  right,  I  sent  them  to 
reinforce  my  left.  After  the  change,  and  up  to  the  2d  of  June,  my 
troops  vrere  disposed  as  follows,  commencing  with  my  right  in  the 
main  works,  on  the  immediate  right  of  the  Jackson  road :  Twenty- 
first  Louisiana  regiment,  with  companies  C  and  D,  of  the  third  Lou- 
isiana attached,  third  Louisiana  regiment,  forty-third  Mississippi 
regiment,  thirty-eighth  Mississippi  regiment,  thirty-seventh  Missis- 
sippi regiment,  seventh  Mississippi  battalion,  thirty  sixth  Mississippi 
regiment.  The  artillery  was  distributed  along  the  line,  with  a  few 
pieces  kept  in  reserve.  At  about  quarter  of  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on 
che  IStb,  the  enemy  opened  wiih  artillery  on  the  grave-yard  road  ;  but 
no  attempt  at  a  charge  had  been  made,  or  was  anticipated.  His  skir- 
mishers pressed  forward,  however,  and  at  night  our  skirmishers,  by 
direction  of  the  Lieutenant  General  commandinsr,  were  drawn  into  our 
lines — pickets  alone  being  put  out  for  the  night.  By  the  morning  of 
the  19th,  the  enemy  had  planted  several  batteries  along  my  front,  on 
the  Jackson  and  grave-yard  road;  and  his  strong  line  of  sharp- 
shooters was  within  easy  musket  range  of  oijr  works.  He  had  also 
commenced  his  line  of  v/orks ;  and  as  far  as  my  front  was  concerned, 
he  may  be  said  to  have  completed  his  investment.  The  peremptory 
orders  to  draw  in  our  skirmishers,  not  to  use  our  artillery  except 
against  advancing  columns  of  infantry,  or  against  artillery  being 
placed  in  battery,  (all  to  save  ammunition,)  allowed  the  enemy  to  at 
once  make  his  investment  a  close  one,  and  to  commence  his 
trenches,  saps,  &c.,  in  close  proximity  to  our  works.  From  that 
time  our  entire  line  became  subjected  to  a  murderous  fire,  and  nearly 
every  cannon  in  my  line  was,  in  time,  either  dismounted  or  otherwise 
injured 

At  about  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  1 9th  of  May,  an  attack  was 
made  on  the  grave-yard  road,  extending  along  the  front  of  Major 
General  Smith's  right  and  the  front  of  my  two  regiments  and  batta- 
lion on  my  left.  Seeing  the  advancing  columns,  I  directed  Lieutenant 
Bates'  twenty-pounder  Parrott  and  a  three-inch  rifled  piece  of  the 
Appeal  battery,  in  the  works  on  the  Jackson  road  to  open  upon  them. 
This  was  done  with  very  good  effect.  The  enemy,  however,  several  times 
pressed  on  to  the  assault,  but  were  as  often  repulsed,  notwithstanding 
the  efforts  of  the  officers.  Before  long,  he  fell  back  discomfitted, 
having  suffered  severely. 

On  the  21st  and  22d,  he  rapidly  pushed  on  his  work  of  entrenching, 
sapping,  constructing  batteries,  &c.,  under  cover  of  heavy  sharp- 
shooting  and  cannonading.  On  the  22d,  hj  again  advanced  to  the 
assault,  and  apparently  with  serious  and  strong  determination.  On 
my  line,  his  points  of  attack  were  the  Jackson  and  grave-yard 
roads.  He  charged  three  times  on  the  grave-yard  road  and  twice  on 
the  Jackson  road,  but  was  as  often  repulsed  with  very  heavy  loss.     A 


14S 

small  nuniber  only  succeeded  in  reaching  our  exterior  ditch.  At 
the  redan  of  the  twenty-first  Louisiana  a  few  scaling  ladders 
reached  the  outer  ditch,  but  were  not  planted.  By  dark  the 
enemy  had  fallen  back,  severely  punished  and  discomfitted.  From 
that  tin>e  he  seemed  to  abandon  all  hope  of  taking  our  works  by 
assault  and  applied  himself  assidulously  to  the  reduction  of  our  line 
by  regular  and  sys-Csmatic  aproach.  On  the  2d  of  June,  other  troops 
having  been  ordered:  to  occupy  the  works  held  by  my  left,  I  moved 
the  thirty-sixth  and  thirty- eighth  ^^ississippr  regiments  and  the  sev- 
enth Mississippi  battalion  to  the  right,  placing  them  as  follows:  the 
thiity-eighth  along  the  Jackson  road,  between  the  third  and  twenty- 
first  Louisiana;  tke  seventh  battalion  on  the  right  of  the  twenty-first 
Louisiana  and  the  thirty-sixth  regiment  on  the  right  of  the  battaliion 
having  massed  the  third  and  twenty-first  Louisiana  more  completely 
to  give  room  for  these  dispositions.  In  this  order  my  troops  con- 
tinued until  the  2oth  of  June,  when,  moving  the  third  Louisiana  still 
to  the  left,  room  was  made  for  the  sixth  Missouri  regiment,  (Colonel 
Eugene  Irwin,)  between  the  thirty-eighth  Mississippi  and  third  Lou- 
isiana. On  this  day,  (25th  of  June,)  at  about  half- past  five  o'clock, 
and  before  the  sixth  Missouri  entered  the  trenches,  the  enemy  sprung 
his  first  mine  under  the  redan  of  the  third  Louisiana  and  made  an 
efi'ort  to  storm  the  breach  effected.  He  was  promptly  met  and  signally 
repulsed.  He,  however,  occupied  our  exterior  slope  and  ditch,  and 
till  late  in  the  night  a  brisk  fight  wi^h  sharpshooting  and  hand-gren- 
ades was  kept  up  on  both  sides.  At  the  time  the  mine  was  exploded 
six  e^ilisted  men  of  the  forty-third  Mississippi  were  at  work  in  a  shaft 
sunk  in  the  templain  of  the  redan  for  the  purpose  of  countermining. 
These  men  were  buried  and  lost.«  Colonel  Eugene  Irwin  sprung  in 
the  parapet  to  lead  a  charge  against  the  enemy  in  the  exterior  ditch- 
He  was  shot  and  instantly  killed,  the  service  thus  losing  a  brave, 
accomplished,  and  distinguished  officer. 

In  the  meantime,  before  the  2oth  of  June,  the  enemy  had  placed 
heavy  guns  in  very  close  range  on  the  Jackson  road,  and  had  demol- 
ished a  large  amount  of  parapet.  He  had,  also,  by  erecting  daily 
new  bitteries,  approaching  and  elevating  his  sharpshooters,  compelled 
us  to  work  incessantly,  day  and  night,  repairing  our  parapets,  con-* 
structing  new  lines,  digging  new  pits,  (fee,  cfec.  He  also  had  com- 
menced shelling,  with  serious  effect,  from  a  mortar  on  th2  .Jackson 
road.  From  the  25th  of  June  to  the  1st  of  July,  he  pressed  forward 
his  works  and  continued  his  telling  fire  on  our  line.  On  the  last 
day,  about  half-past  one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  he  sprung  his  second  mine 
under  the  main  redan,  on  the  left  of  the  Jackson  road.  He,  how- 
ever, made  no  attempt  to  storm  the  breach,  to  the  disappointment  of 
our  brave  soldiers,  who,  though.for  a  moment  stunned  by  the  fearful 
shock  they  sustained,  were  instantly  ready  to  meet  the  fae  and  once 
more  teach  him  that  he  could  not  take  our  works  by  assault.  The 
mi^c  was  a  very  heavy  one.  The  entire  left  face,  part  of  the  right, 
and  the  outer  templain  of  the  redan  was  blown  off,  leaving  an 
immense  deep  chasm.  One  sapper  and  eight  negroes  of  the  engineer 
department,  occupied  in  counterming,  were  buried  and  lost ;  and  the 


144 

third  Louisiana  lost  one  killed  and  twenty-one  wounded,  and  the 
Appeal  battery  four  wounded  by  the  explosion.  The  loss  of  the  sixth 
Missouri  by  the  mine,  I  cannot  state.  It  must  have  been  serious. 
During  the  2d  of  July,  and  up  to  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  3d, 
the  enemy's  fire  was  kept  up  as  usual,  our  troops  suffering  more  than 
before  from  mortar  shelling.  At  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  3d, 
all  firing  ceased  by  the  sending  out  a  flag  of  truce.  This  cessa- 
tion of  hostilities  continued  until  the  end  of  the  siege. 

The  next  day,  (the  4th  of  July,)  at  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  terms  of  capitulation  and  orders  received,  my  com- 
mand stacked  their  arms  in  front  of  their  lines,  evacuated  their 
trenches,  and  were  marched  to  bivouac  in  the  rear  of  our  works, 
where  they  are  now  being  paroled.  ^ 

On  the  19th  of  May,  Colonel  Charles  Herrick  reported  to  me  for  duty 
in  my  brigade.  He  was  at  once  assigned  as  chief  of  artillery  on  my 
line.  Proceeding  to  his  duties  he  found  himself  at  the  grave-yard 
road,  at  the  time  of  the  assault  of  that  day.  Gallantly  joining  in 
the  fight,  he  fell  mortally  wounded,  dying  a  few  days  after. 

On  the  21st  of  May,  Lieutenant  Charles  A.  Bride,  aid-de-camp,  re- 
ceived a  painful  wound  in  the  shoulder,  from  a  minnie  ball. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  before  the  explosion  of  the  mine,  Lieutenant 
Blessing,  assistant  engineer,  was  painfully  wounded  by  a  sharpshooter. 
This  officer  had  been  unremitting  in  his  labors  night  and  day  du- 
ring the  siegCj  and  showing  a  gallantry  'and  devotion  worthy  of  re- 
ward. 

Casualties  in  the  difi'erent  regiments,  batteries  and  companies  will 
appear  in  the  list  of  names  to  accompany  this  report. 

The  above  is  a  brief  history  of  the  part  taken  by  my  brigad^  in  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  terminated  J^y  the  capitulation  of  the  4th  of 
July,  1883.  I  will  not  cite  here  individual  acts  of  bravery  and  of 
devotion.  I  will  not  pass  encomiurns  on  officers  and  soldiers,  by 
name.  With  few,  very  few,  exceptions,  all  my  officers  and  soldiers 
have  proved  themselves  worthy  of  the  admiration  of  the  army  and  of 
the  country.  Forty-eight  days  and  nights  passed  in  the  trenches, 
exposed  to  the  burning  sun  during  the  day,  the  chilly  air  of  night, 
subject  to  the  murderous  storm  of  balls,  shells  and  missiles  of  all 
kinds,  cramped  up  in  pits  and  holes,  not  large  enough  to  allow  them 
to  extend  their  limbs,  laboring  day  and  night,  and  fed  on  reduced  ra- 
tions of  the  poorest  kind  of  food,  yet  always  cheerful,  always  ready 
and  eager  that  the  foe  should  advance,  calm  and  resolute,  their  comrades 
falling  around  them  every  instant,  under  a  fire  they  were  forbidden 
to  return  ;  such  are  the  claims  that  my  noble  officers  and  soldiers  have 
upon  the  admiration  of  their  countrymen.  The  list  of  casualties  suf- 
ficiently attest  that  my  brigade  occupied  and  held,  unflinchingly,  one 
of  the  most  exposed  positions  of  the  defence  of  Vicksburg.  Many  a 
gallant  spirit  was  sacrificed  ;  let  their  memories  be  cherished  and  their 
names  honored. 


145 


RecQpitulation  of  Casualties. 


COMMAND. 


Srd  Louisiana,  Roginiont,  

36tii  Mississippi  Regiment,  .... 
37th  Mississippi  Regiment,  ... 
38th  Mississippi  Regiment,  ... 

43d  Mississippi  Regiment,  

7th  Mississippi  Regiment,  

21st  and  23d  Louisiana  Regiments, 

Appeal  Battery,  

Emanuel's 

Ratcliffc'e, 

Lowe's, 

Point  Coupee 

Ridley's,  

Brigade  Headquarters, 


Total, 


KILLED. 

■WOUNDBD. 

Officers. 

Men.| 

Officers. 

Men. 
120 

4 

41 

6 

4 

23 

5 

68 

1 

16 

(5 

50 

3 

28 

5 

3G 

1 

20 

37 

.    2v;- 

12 

4 

32 

4 

or. 

8 

66 

2 

2 

1 

6 

1 

C 

8 

... 

3 

1 

13 

1 

*3 

... 

5 

1 

:::  j 

"i 

24 

179  ; 

37 

443 

7  deserters 

7  deserters. 
2  deserters. 

6  deserters. 
2  deserters. 


24  deserters. 


Total  killed 203 

wounded 480 


tS^ 


Aggregate  killed  and  wounded 683 

Note. — The  casualties  may  not  be  exactly  correct,  but  it  is  known 
to  be  nearly  so. 

ReepectfuUy  submitted, 

LOUIS  HEBERT,  Brig.  General, 


lU 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  LEE. 

Headquarters  Second  Brigade,  Stevenson's  Division,  ? 
Demopolis,  Ala.,  Julj  25,  1803.  \ 

Major  J.  J.  Reeve, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General,  Stevenson's  Division  : 

Sir:  I  have  the  he  nor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the  part 
tnlcen  in  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  on  the  IGth  of  May  last,  by  the 
Alabama  brigade,  (second  brigade,)  Stevenson's  division,  consisting  of 
the  follovring  commands,  viz :  twentieth  Alabama  regiment,  Colonel 
J.  W.  Garrett ;  twenty-third  Alabama  regiment.  Colonel  F.  K.  Beck ; 
thirtieth  Alabama  regiment,  Colonel  C.  M.  Shelly  ;  thirty-first 
Alabama  regiment.  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  M.  Arrington ;  forty-sixth 
Alabama  regiment,  Colonel  M.  S.  Wood,  and  Waddell's  battery, 
Captain  J.  F.  Waddell. 

On  the  morning  of  the  15th  of  May,  the  army  under  the  command 
of  Tiieutenant  General  Pemberton,  commenced  moving  towards  the 
enemy  from  Edward's  Depot,  in  the  direction  of  Raymond,  my  brigade 
occupying,  in  the  line  of  march,  the  second  position  from  the  rear. 
The  army  marched  during  the  greater  part  of  the  night,  halting  a 
short  time  before  daylight,  at  a  point  about  six  miles  from  Edward's 
Depot.  Soon  after  daylight,  on  the  16th,  the  array  commenced  a 
retrogade  movement  over  the  same  route  it  had  taken  on  the  preceding 
night,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  junction  on  the  nr-rth  side  of  the 
railroad  with  the  forces  under  command  of  General  Joseph  E.  John- 
ston, General  Johnston  having  evacuated  Jackson  and  moved  towards 
Canton. 

About  six,  A.  M.,  Major  General  Stevenson  ordered  me  to  move 
rapidly  with  my  brigade,  and  relieve  Reynold's  brigade,  on  the 
Edward's  Depot  and  Clinton  roads,  which  was  done  at  about  half-past 
seven,  A.  M.  Fkirmishers,  from  Reynolds'  brigade,  being  at  that 
time  engaged  with  the  enemy  on  two  roads,  one  leading  from  Clinton 
}tnd  the  other  from  Raymond.  By  eight  o'clock,  my  brigade  was  in 
line  of  battle,  and  skirmishing  on  both  roads — the  position  occupied' 
by  the  brigade  being  on  the  extreme  left  of  our  line.  At  about  nine 
o'clock,  it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy  was  massing  troops  on  the 
left,  evidently  for  the  purpose  of  turning  our  left  flank,  and  getting 
between  our  army  and  Edward's  Depot.  My  brigade  was  at  once 
marched,  under  fire,  by  the  left  flank,  for  the  purpose  of  checking  the 
enemy,  and  information  of  his  movements  and  the  corresponding 
change  in  my  lino  was  immediately  sent  to  the  Major  General  com- 
manding, with  the  request  that  the  gap  on  ray  right  should  be  filled 
up  by  other  troops.  Similar  movements,  on  my  part,  were  frequently 
made,  under  fire,  throughout  the  day,  until  about  two  P.  M.,  the  Major 
General  com.manding  being,  in  each  case,  notified  of  my  change  of 
position,  and  of  the  continuous  eff'orts  of  the  enemy  to  turn  our  left.  , 
Captain  Waddell's  battery,  which  had  been  placed  in  position  on  the 


14T 

Raymoml  road,  and  a  section  of  Jolinston"'s  battery,  wliich  Lad  been 
posted  on  the  Rjayraond  road,  had,  during  the  earlier  part  of  the  day, 
been  supported  by  my  brigade ;  but,  in  consequence  of  my  continuous 
movements  to  the  left,  these  guns  were  left  to  the  right  of  my  brigade, 
and  were  subsequently  supported  by  General  Cummings'  brigade.  As 
early  as  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning,  it  became  evident  that  the  enemy 
was  in  heavy  force  and  determined  on  battle,  as  his  skirmishers  wen? 
bold  and  aggressive,  and  several  divisions  of  his  troops  were  visible 
in  front  of  our  left.  At  about  two  P.  M.,  he  advanced  in  heavy  forco 
on  my  centre  and  left,  but  was  handsomely  repulsed  by  th3  forty- 
sixth,  thirtieth,  and  t;^'enty-third  Alabama  regiments — the  last  regi- 
ment, under  the  gallant  Colonel  Beck,  liaving  moved  forward  under 
a  heavy  fire,  and  driven  back  a  battery  of  the  enemy,  which  liad  been 
placed  within  four  hundred  yards  of  our  line. 

Having  checked  the  enemy  on  my  centre  and  left,  and  having  ordered 
the  regiments  last  mentioned  to  hold  ihcir  respective  positions,  my 
attention  was  called  to  the  very  heavy  fire  on  my  right.  Upon  pro- 
ceeding there,  I  found  that  Cuiiiming's  br'gade  had  been  driven  back 
by  the  enemy,  add  that  the  t\ventieth  and  thirty-first  Alabama  regi- 
ments of  my  brigade  bad  been  compelled  to  retire,  their  right  flank>s. 
having  become  exposed,  and  the  enemj  having  giined  their  rcar^ 

At  about  the  same  time  the  enemy  had  advanced  rapidly  on  my 
left,  and  had  almost  gained  the  Edward's  Depot  road,  one-half  mile 
to  the  rear  of  my  line.  Under  these  circumstances,  I  ordered  the 
forty-sixth,  thirtieth  and  twenty-third  Alabama,  regiments  to  retire 
about  six  hundred  yards  to  the  rear,  where  my  second  line  was  formed. 
These  three  regiments  behaved  with  distinguished  gallantly,  retaining 
their  position  against  heavy  odds. 

I,  at  this  time,  went  to  the  road,  about  six  hundred  jards  in  roar 
of  my  line,  and  found  it  filled  with  stragglers,  and  hearing  that 
Bowen's  division  was  reinforcing  on  my  right,  and  that  Barton's 
brigade  was  going  on  my  left,  I  again  returned  to  my  8eco!:)d  line, 
carrying  with  me  about  four  hundred  stragglers,  most  of  them  from 
the  thirty-fourth  Georgia,  Colonel  Johnson,  whom  I  placed  ou  the  left 
of  the  thirtieth  Alabama  regiment,  Colonel  Shelly. 

With  these  reinforcements  the  enemy  v,ere  broken  in  some  con- 
fusion, observing  which,  C«lonel  Wood's  forty-sixth  Alabama,  made  a 
most  gallant  charge  wi'h  his  regiment,  moving  up  almost  to  bis. 
original  position  in  the  line  of  battle.  Soon  afterwards,  Bowen'a 
division,  on  my  right,  and  Barton's  brigade,  on  my  h  ft,  having- 
retreated,  and  the  enemy  having  crossed  the  Edward's  Depot  road 
with  at  least  three  regiments,  1  ordered  Colonel  D.  C.  Stiih,  of  my 
staff,  to  recall  the  thirtieth  Alabama,  Colonel  Shelly,  and  the  forty- 
sixth  Alabama,  Colonel  Wood. 

The, order  was  delivered  to  Colonel   Shelly,  but  the   enemy  having- 
advf.nced  very  rapidly  upon  the  right,  the   forty-sixth  Alabama  could 
not  bo  reached.     I  regret  to  say  tliat  this  excellent  regimrnt,  under  it.s. ' 
gallant  field  officers  CoIolcI  Woods,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Kyle  and  Major 
Henley,  was  captured. 


148 

My  brigade  was  then  rallied  about  one  half-mile  from  the  Edwards' 
Depot  road,  and  in  rear  of  Buford's  brigade,  Loring's  division, 
which  had  just  arrived  on  the  field  at  about  half  past  three,  P. 
M.,  Major  General  Loring  soon  after  came  up  with  Featherstone's 
brigade,  and  rectgnizing  him  as  senior  officer  on  the  field,  and  not 
seeing  my  division  commander,  Major  General  Sterenson,  I  reported 
to  him  for  orders,  and  was  placed  on  the  left  of  Featherstone's 
brigade.  General  Loring  soon  afterwards  informed  me  that  he  had 
been  ordered  to  retire,  and  directed  me  to  commence  at  once  the 
movement  towards  the  ford  at  Baker's  Creek. 

The  retreat  was  conducted  with  order,  and  we  arrived  at  the  ford 
iit  about  six  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  my  brigade  was  halted  During 
the  retreat  General  Loring  sent  repeated  messages  to  me  to  hasten  my 
regiments,  which  was  done. 

On  crossing  Baker's  Creek  I  found  that  General  Loring  had  not 
followed  my  brigade,  but  had  halted  on  the  opposite  side.  I  at  this 
time  received  an  order  from  General  Pembcrton  to  move  to  the 
bridge  upon  the  Clinton  road,  and  support  the  cavalry  at  that 
point,  un-der  command  of  Colonel  Adams  ;  but,  before  arriving  there, 
I  found  that  the  enemy  already  held  the  bridge  with  a  large  force, 
and  I  accordi*ngly  retreated  towards  the  Big  Black  bridge,  where  the 
brigade  arrived  about  ten  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Notwithstanding  t!he  defeat  at  Baker's  Creek,  there  were  many  ex- 
hibitions of  personal  courage  and  bravery  on  the  part  of  the  officers 
and  men  of  my  command.  I  would  particularly  mention  the  conduct 
of  Colonels  Garrett,  Beck, Shelly  and  Woods  ;  of  Lieutenant  Colonels 
Kyle,  forty-sixth  Alabama;  Pettus,  twentienth  Alabama;  and  Smith, 
thirtieth  Alabama.  Majors  Henly, forty-sixth  Alabama;  and  Patter- 
son, thirtieth  Alabama.  Captains  Waddell  and  Johnson,  command- 
ing batteries  ;  and  Captain  Anderson,  thirtieth  Alabama,  who  was 
:killed  while  gallantly  performing  his  duty. 

Adjutant  Houston, Alabama  ;  Sergeant-major  Garrard,  thir- 
ty-first Alabama  ;  Sergant-major  McConnell,  thirtieth  Alabama,  also 
particularly  attracted  ray  attention. 

The  above  names  are  those  of  the  persons  who  came  under  my 
personal  observation.  Other  instances  of  gallantry  are  mentioned  in 
the  reports  enclosed.  ■' 

Of  ray  personal  staff,  I  would  particularly  mention  Captain  William 
Elliott,  my  assistant  adjutant  general,  f3r  his  conspicuous  gallantry. 
During  the  latter  part  of  the  day  he  bore  the  colors  of  the  thirty- 
fourth  Georgia,[which  he  brought  out  of  the  action,  the  gallant  color- 
bearer  having  been  killed.  Colonel  D.  C.  Stith  acted  with  coolness 
and  gallantry  ;  also  Lieutenant  H.  M.  Martin,  acting  aid-de-camp, 
and  Captain  Currell  ard  Lieutenant  Undershell,  volunteer  aids-de- 
camp. • 

List  of  casualties  has  already  been  sent  in. 

Yours,  respectfully, 

S.  D.  LEE, 
Brigf!di:r  General  commanding. 


REPORT  OF  BRIGADIER  GENERAL  GUMMING. 

I 


Headquarters  Third  Brigade,  Stevenson's  Division, 

Enterprise,  July  22,  1863. 


Assistant  Adjutant  General  Stevenson's  Division  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the  opera- 
tions of  this  brigaile,  commencing  with  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek, 
and  terminating  with  the  capitulation  of  Yicksburg: 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  15th  of  May,  the  brigade  left  the  line  of 
battle,  for  the  two  days  previous  established  in  front  of  Edwards' 
Depot,  and  proceeded  in  the  direction  of  Raymond,  crossing  Baker's 
Creek  at  the  bridge  over  that  stream.  A  short  distance  beyond  the 
bridge,  the  line  of  march  led  from  the  Raymond  road  into  a  neighbor- 
hood road.  Passing  to  the  right,  and  at  about  a  mile  distant  from  the 
point  of  separation  of  the  two  roads,  the  brigade  was  halted  and 
bivouacked  for  the  remainder  of  the  night,  along  with  the  other  brig- 
ades of  the  division,  no  line  of  battle  being  here  estiblished. 

Shortly  after  sunrise,  on  the  morning  of  the  16th  of  May,  orders 
were  given  to  his  division,  by  Major  General  Stevenson,  to  retraverse 
a  portion  of  the  route  passed  over  the  previous  night.  This  division 
being  the  left  of  the  army,  the  movement  was  commenced  by  its  left 
brigade,  (Lee's,)  in  rear  (right)  of  which  followed  the  third  brigade. 
The  regiments  were  promptly  brought  into  position,  and  the  line 
established,  moving  by  the  left  flank.  When  the  brigade  had  pro- 
ceeded about  two-thirds  of  the  distance  towards  the  Raymond  road, 
its  left  being  about  five  hundred  yards  distant  from  that  road,  it  was 
halted,  by  order  of  the  Major  General.  The  brigade  line  was  estab- 
lished on  a  succession  of  slight  ridges,  overlooking  a  clear  field. 
Strong  parties  of  skirmishers  Avere  at  once  thrown  out  beyond  this 
field,  with  directions  to  penetrate  the  woods  on  the  other  side,  and 
engage  and  hold  in  check  those  of  the  enemy.  This  they  did,  under 
the  efficient  management  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Jackson,  thirty-ninth 
Georgia  regimont,  commanding.  Shortly  after  these  dispositions 
were  made,  word  was  sent  me  by  General  Lee,  that  in  consequence 
of  the  passage  of  the  enemy  toward  his  left,  he  was  extending  his 
line  in  that  direction,  coupled  with  the  request  that  I  would  move  by 
the  flank,  to  preserve  the  interval  between  us.  The  Major  General, 
present  with  me,  directed  this  to  be  done,  and  I  moved  on  the  required 
distance.  After  making  two  or  more  of  such  moves,  my  left  having 
by  this  time  crossed  the  Raymond  road,  I  was  informed  by  the  Major 
General  that  Lee  had  bent  the  left  of  his  line  towards  the  rear — the 
two  branches  making  an  angle  more  or  less  obtuse,  and  was  directed 
to  accord  my  movements  with  his.  Having  sent  forward  an  officer  of 
my  staff  to  notify  the  officer  commanding  the  skirmishers  of  the  change 
of  direction  of  the  line,  and  to  direct  him  to  make  their  movements 
to  correspond,  I  at  once  proceeded  from  the  centre  to  the  extreiui) 
left  of  my  brigade,  to  superintend  the  change. 


150 

The  directions  above  referred  to  were  communicated  to  tlie  officers 
in  command  of  the  skirmishers,  but  to  the  distance  of  thi.i  line  in 
advance',  the  inability,  in  a  wooded  country,  of  determining  the  point 
at  which  the  change  of  direction  should  be  made,  and  especially  the 
fiict  that  they  wefe  unable  to  keep  up  communication  with  the  skirm- 
ishers of  Lee's  brigade,  they  were  unable  to  follow  up  the  movement;* 
and  later  in  the  day  were  forced,  after  a  gallant  contest,  in  which 
they  Guffered  sevcrol}-,  to  retire  toward  the  light.  In  its  movement 
by  the  left  flank,  the  brigade  had  entered  a  wood,  rather  open  for  the 
first  few  hundred  yards,  but  gradualbr  becoming  denser.  Arrived  at 
the  point  where  the  brigade  on  ray  left  had  filed  to  the  left,  it  was 
formed  so  that  the  angle  formed  by  the  two  branches  of  the  line  was 
nearly  a  right  angle.  Here  my  left  regiment  (the  thirty-ninth 
Georgia;  was  promptly  turned  into  the  new  direction.  The  whole  of 
this  regiment,  and  four  companies  of  the  next,  (the  thirty-fourth 
Georgia,)  had  succeeded  in  getting  upon  what  may  be  termed  the 
second  front  of  the  square,  when  the  halting  of  Lee's  brigade  necessi- 
tated the  same  on  my  part..  It  should  be  stated  the  three  left  regi- 
ments— the  thirty-ninth,  the  thirty-fourth,  and  the  thirty-sixth — had 
each  throe  companies  at  the  front  as  skirmishers,  in  addition  to  which 
the  thirty-fourth  and  thirty-sixth  regiments  had  each' one  company 
absent  on  detached  service,  thus  leaving  only  six  companies  of  these 
regiments  in  line.  A  halt  having  been  made,  as  above  stated,  and 
the  two  sides  of  the  square  faced  outwards,  notice  was  at  this  moment 
given  me  that  Lee,  whose  brigade  was  concealed  from  my  observaticn 
by  the  density  of  the  wood,  was  moving  forward.  I  imm.ediately  ad- 
vanced the  second  front,  with  a  view  to  keep  abreast  with  the  supposed 
movement.  The  brigade  had  advanced  but  a  few  paces,  when  I  was 
informed  the  reported  movement  by  Lee  had  not  been  made.  A  halt 
Avas  at  'once  called,  and  the  line,  somewhat  disordered  by  the  broken 
and  wooded  character  of  the  ground  traversed,  rectified.  In  this  posi- 
tion, the  second  front  of  the  brigade  was  drawn  up,  on  a  succession  of 
ridges  and  knolls,  heavily  timbered,  beyond  which,  at  a  distance,  gen- 
erally, of  about  fifty  yards,  the  ground  fell  off  abruptly.  While  thus 
•engaged  in  rectifying  the  line,  the  battle  broke  upon  us,  and  without 
previous  intimation,  received ;  the  skirmishers  having  been  unable, 
for  the  reasons  hitherto  given,  to  keep  pace  with  the  movera<ent  of  the 
line,  and  being  no  longer  interposed  between  it  and  the  enemy — 
though  of  this  I  was  not  informed  until  afterwards.  Favored  by  the 
broken  and  wooded  character  of  the  locality,  the  enemy  advanced  two 
very  full  regiments — ^the  seventh  *^".d  eleventh  Illinois — upon  that 
portion  of  my  line  forming  what  I  have  termed  the  second  front. 
Each  of  the  regiments  would  seem  to  have  been  formed  into  a  double 
column,  occupying  a  half  regimental  front,  and  their  whole  line  to 
Taave  extended  from  the  point  of  the  angle  to  about  the  right  of  the 
thirty-ninth  Georgia  regiment.  Approaching,  unseen,  to  within  a 
•distance  of  less  than  fifty  yards,  the  enemy  poured  in  a  very  heavy 
•and  destructive  volley,  which  was  at  once  replied  to  with  eifcct.  At 
•about  the  same  moment,  the  enemy  appeared  in  front  of,  and  opened 
£re   on,  the  "first  front"  of  my  line,  a   brisk  and   efi"ective  fire,  but 


151 

not  so  near  and  destructive  as  that  on  the  second  front.  On  this 
(second)  front,  the  portions  ol  tho  regiments  engaged  held,  for  a  time, 
their  position,  against  the  greatly  superior  force  of  the  enemy,  incited 
by  the  encouragement  and  example  of  their  respective  coramandery — 
Colonels  McConnell  and  Johnson — the  former  of  -whom  fell  here 
severely  wounded.  Bat  apprised,  now,  of  the  exact  position  occupied 
by  a  section  of  Captain  Johnston'.];  battery,  to  which  had  been  added 
a  piece  from  AVaddells  battery,  which  position  was  about  opposite  the 
left  of  the  thirty-fourth  Georgia  regiment,  the  enemy's  right  regi- 
ment, by  an  oblique  movement,  placed  i'self  in  rear  of  the  regiment 
already  confronting  the  thirty-fourth  Georgia  regiment,  and  the  two 
united,  bore  down  upon  this  regiment,  and  the- right  of  the  thirty- 
ninth.  The  position  of  the  thirty-fourth,  on  the  new  direction,  was 
unable  to  withstand  the  charge  of  so  overpowering  a  force,  and  it, 
together  with  the  right,  (thirty  ninth  Georgia  regiment,)  compelled 
to  give  way. 

Throwing  myself  at  the  point  at  which  the  break  had  been  made, 
efforts  were  made  to  rally  the  broken  line,  but  the  enemy  having  ob- 
tained possession  of  the  batteries,  and  following  up  closely  their  advan- 
tage, these  efforts  proved'unsuccessful,  and  the  whole  of  the  second  front 
f(?ll  back.  By  this  retrograle  movement,  the  right  of  the  thirty- 
fourth  and  thirty-sixth  Georgia  regiments,  which  had  in  the  inean- 
time  been  engaged  with  the  enemy  in  the  front,  were  uncovered,  and 
the  Colonel  of  the  latter  regiment,  Glenn,  finding  that  the  enemy  had 
penetrated  in  his  rear,  as  far  as  his  colors,  gave  the  order  to  fall 
back.  This  regiment  was  rallied,  aad  held  its  position  against  the 
enemy,  advancing  in  its  front,  till  threatened  with  being  flankeil  on  its 
right,  it  was  again  compelled  to  fall  bUck  to  a  new  position.  In  a 
similar  manner  the  two  right  regiments,  fifty-sixth  Georgia  (Colonel 
Watkins)  -and  fifty-seventh  Georgia  (Colonel  Barkuloo,)  were  com- 
pelled, in  succession,  by  the  uncovering  of  ttioir  left,  and  ihe  passage 
of  the  enemy  on  their  front,  to  fall  back,  which  they  did,  holding  the 
enemy  in  check  at  various  points,  when  .they  were  able  to  make  a 
stand.  In  this  movement,  Colonel  Watkins,  who  ha.d  left  his  sick 
room  at  Vicksburg  to  take  command  of  his  regiment  in  the  fight,  was 
severely  wounded. 

With  these  operations  end  what  may  be  termed  the  first  phase  of 
the  battle,  so  far  as  concerns  this  brigade. 

Barton's  brigade,  originally  on  my  right,  had^in  the  meantimabccn 
moved  toward  the  extreme  left,  thus  leaving  my  right  entirely  ex- 
posed This  compelled  the  two  right  regiments,  when  they  finally  fell 
tack,  to  proceed  as  fir  as  the  farm-huusc,  in  front  of  our  first  posi- 
tion, before  commencing  their  reorganization.  The  other  regiments 
of  the  brigade  fell  back,  aud  rcf)rincd  on  the  Raymond  'road,  the 
two  left  regiments,  the  thirty-ninth  and  thirty-fourth  Georgia,  makin / 
no  stand  till  they  reached  that  road.  Here  portions  of  my  three  left 
regiments  were  rallied,  together  with  portions  of  one  or  more  of  L^l-'s 
regiments,  and  a  lino  was  formed  along  this  road.  While  euTigcil  in 
forming  this  lin^:',  we  were*  not  pres^^ed  by  the  enemy,  who  would  seem 
lo  have  been  similarly  occupiod.     About  this  time,  a  Missouri  bri"ude 

9 


152 

approached  the  battle  field  from  the  right,  and  went  in  on  the  ground 
previously  occupied  by  the  extreme  right  of  my  brigade.  As  soon 
as  they  had  completed  their  reorganization,  the  fifty-seventh  Georgia 
regiment,  and  shortly  afterwards,  the  fifty-sixth,  now  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Slaughter,  accompanied  this  movement  and  went 
in  on  the  right  of  the  Missourians.  These  regiments  had  hotly  en- 
gaged the  enemy,  and  particularly  in  the  movement  which  drove  him 
for  a  time,  advanced  considerably  beyond  the  line  on  which  they  had 
first  encountered  him  in  the  morning.  They  only  withdrew  on  the 
general  order  being  given  to  this  eifect.  The  three  regiments  which 
formed  on  the .  Raymond  road,  as  their  second  line,  having  been 
brought  into  some  kindof  order,  and  Barton's  brigade  on  the  left  hav- 
ing gone  in  and  engaged  the  enemy,  these  regiments  immediately 
thereupon  advanced  into  the  wood  in  their  front,  and  formed  abreast 
with  Barton's,  engaging  the  enemy  on  ground  near  that  originally 
held  by  Lee.  The  contest  here  was  sharp  and  severe  for  a  time,  but 
of  short  duration.  The  enemy  flushed  with  the  previous  success, 
and  in  number  much  superior  to  ours,  drove  our  men  apparently 
along  the  whole  division  front,  slowly  at  first,  afterwards  more  rap- 
idly, till,  on  reaching  the  wood,  the  flight  became  precipitate.  Oa 
this  occasion  scattered  bands  of  them  crossed  the  road  in  close  pur- 
suit of  the  fugitives.  After  this,  it  became  impossible  to  rally  them 
aojain,  though  strenuous  efi'orts  were  made  to  do  so  several  hundred 
yards  from  the  road.  In  this,  a^  iu  the  first  and  more  successful  ef- 
fort to  rally,  I  was  greatly  assisted  by  Captain  Johnson,  whose  bat- 
tery was  lost  in  the  first  action.  The  flight  was  continued  towards  the 
lower  bridge  over  Baker's  Creek,  at  which  point  the  greater  portion 
of  the  army  crossed.  Crossing  with  several  members  of  my  staff  and 
officers  of  artillery  at  a  point  between  the  bridges,  I  repaired  to  the 
upper  bridge  and  reported  to  General  Barton,  whom  I  found  then  re- 
maining there  until  nearly  sunset.  The  bridge  was  theu  destroyed  or 
partially  so,  and  we  fell  back  towards  Edward's  Depot.  Here,  with 
portions  of  two  brigades  assembled,  the  enemy's  advance  Avas  held  in 
check  till  the  train  was  destroyed,  and  the  army  had  nearly  passed  the 
depot  by  the  other  road.  We  then  continued  the  retreat  unmolested, 
to  the  other  side  of  Big  Black. 

I  received  valuable  assistance  from  the  members  of  my  staff,  who 
were  all,  at  different  times,  in  the  hottest  parts  of  the  fight. 

The  regimental  commanders  and  field  officers,  though  their  effort* 
were  unsuccessful,  without  an  exception,  acted  with  great  courage- 
and  judgment,  as  did  also,  as  a  general  thing,  the  company  o-fficers.. 

The  list  of  casualties  has  hitherto  been  given.  To.  recapitulate  I 
make  the  following  statement : 

The  brigade  went  into  action  about  two  thousand  five  hundred 
strong.     Its  losses  are  as  follows  : 

Killed,  ...  -  -  142 

Wounded,     -  -  -  -  -  314 

Missing,       -  -  -         '    -  -  539 

•         

Total,  -  -  -  -  --995 


153 

i 

Of  the  number  reported  missing  it  is  probable  about  two  hundred 
were  killed  or  wounded.  I 

This  brigade  took  no  part  in  the  battle  of  Big  Black,  Leaving 
Bovina  on  Sunday,  it  entered  Vicksburg  the  same  evening,  (May 
I7th.)  On  the  morning  of  the  18th  it  moved  into  the  trenches, 
where  it  remained,  without  relief,  for  forty- seven  days,  until  the 
capitulation  of  the  city  on  the  4th  day  of  July, 

Its  right  rested  on  and  included  the  Hall's  ferry  road,  its  left 
extending  to  the  square  fort  held  by  General  Lee's  right. 

No  assault  was  made  by  the  enemy  along  the  brigade  front  daring 
the  continuation  of  the  siege.  An  almost  unremitting  fire  of  sharp- 
shooters was  kept  up  during  all  hours  of  daylight  daring  the  whole 
time,  varied  by  occasional  brisk  cannonading. 

The  enemy's  rifle  pits,  in  time,  were  so  extended  as  to  almost 
entirely  envelope  the  brigade  front,  and  were  generally  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  distant.  At  the  redoubts,  on  the  IlalFs  ferry 
road,  however,  they  approached  much  nearer,  and  were  in  possession 
of  the  foot  of  the  slope,  on  which  one  of  the  redoubts  was  constructed, 
about  seventy  yards  distant,  at  which  point  they  were  shielded  by'tho 
configuration  of  the  ground  from  the  fire  of  the  work.  Sorties  were 
made  upon  this  point  at  two  diifercnt  times.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cay- 
ton,  fifty-seventh  Georgia,  commanded  on  each  occasion,  and  on 
each  a  degree  of  success  was  attained.  In  the  second,  the  enemy 
being  badly  beaten,  leaving  eight  or  ten  dead  on  the  field,  and  losing 
about  the  same  number,  (one  a  lieutenant  colonel,)  in  prisoners.  It 
was  finally  deemed  advisable,  however,  to  leave  this  point  to  be 
occupied  by  them. 

At  the  time  of  the  capitulation  they  had  commenced  to  mine  at  this 
point,  as  also  at  another,  in  front  of  the  fifty-sixth  Georgia.  At  the 
first-named  of  these  points,  we  were  constructing  a  countermine. 

The  list  of  casualties  has  been  heretofore  given.     They  are  as  fol- 
lows :     Total  killed  and  wounded,  one  hundred  and  seventy-one,  of 
which  number  about  forty-three  were  killed. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

A.   GUMMING,  Brigadier  General, 

Commanding  Third  Brigade, 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  GATES. 

Headquarters  Second  Division,  ) 
Demopolis,  Ala.,  Aug.  1,  1863,    ) 

To  Major  Me.mminger, 

A.  A.   G.,  Bepaiimtrd  Miss^  and  East  Louisiana  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor,  in  obedience  to  ihe  instructions  of  the 
Lieutenant  General  commanding,  to  submit  the  following  report  of 
the  action  of  the  second  division  in  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  on 
the  sixteenth  of  May  last. 

About  ten  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  twelfth  of  May,  the  forces 
of  the  enemy  attacked  my  picket,  composed  of  three  companies  of 
infantry  and  a  section  of  artillery,'  commanded  by  Major  Parker, 
some  four  miles  south  of  Edward's  Depot.  The  enemy  opened  upon  us 
with  skirmishers  and  artillery.  1  had  possession  of  the  creek  where 
the  road  crosses,  leading  to  Port  Gibson,  I  held  them  in  check  at 
this  point  for  an  hour  or  more,  when  \ve  had  to  fall  back  slowly  to  the 
reserve,  (in  order  to  keep  them  from  flanking  us,)  which  was  some 
two  miles  south  of  Edwards  Depot.  Tiiere  1  put  my  infantry  and 
artillery  in  position,  and  telegraphed  to  General  Bowca  my  idea  of 
the  enemy's  movements. 

General  Bowen  dispatched  mo  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check,  if  pos- 
sible, until  night,  then,  if  I  could  do  no  more,  to  burn  the  commissary 
stores  then  at  the  depot,  and  fall  back  to  the  bridge  on  Big  Black.  I 
called  upon  General  Bowen  for  the  wagon  trains  of  both  brigades,  and 
I  would  save  stores  that  night.  He  did  so,  and  by  daylight  next 
morning  we  fhad  everything  out  of  the  depot — about  seventy-five 
wagon  loads. 

At  the  time  General  Bowen  started  the  wagons  to  me,  he  tele- 
graphed me  to  hold  my  position — that  General  Grcea  would  be  ordered 
to  my  support  at  once.  Accordingly  at  daylight  General  Green  ar- 
rived, followed  by  Colonel  Cockerell's  brigade,  also  General  Loring 
and  Stevenson's  division.  They  formed  lines  of  battle  two  miles  south 
of  Edward's  Depot. 

About  tweh'e  o'clock  General  Loring  ordered  me  to  take  a  battallion 
of  sharpshooters,  then  commanded  by  Captain  Catteron,  move  to  the 
front  and  press  the  Federal  pickets,  and  ascertain  whether  or  not  the 
enemy  were  there  in  force.  I  did  so,  and  drove  in  the  enemy's  pick- 
ets, but  soon  had  to  fall  back  myself,  for  I  was  satisfied,  from  the  force 
they  brought  up,  that  their  whole  force  vras  there.  I  reported  the 
same  to  Generals  Green  and  Bowen. 

About  twelve  ^o'clock,  on  the  15th  we  were  ordered  to  move  out 
on  the  road  leading  from  the  depot  to  Clinton.  We  followed  the 
Clinton  road  until  after  crossing  Baker's  Creek  ;  we  then  took  a  neigh- 
borhood road  through  some  plantations,  and  about  one  o'clock,  P.  M., 
bivouacked  for  the  night,  and  threw  out  skirmishers. 

About  sunrise,  the  IGth,  a  skirmish  commenced  with  General 
Grant's  and  General  Pemberton's  troops.     I  was  ordered  by  General 


155 

Green  to  call  my  men  in  line,  and  move,  by  the  right,  companies  to  the 
rear,  •which  we  did,  first  and  last,  to  tre  distance  of  about  a  rAile. 
We  halted,  **  about  faced,"  and  moved  to  the  front  some  six  hundred 
yards  and  halted  in  the  timber.  I  occupied  the  right  of  Green's 
brigade.  General  Green  sent  me  word  that  Genoral  Loring  was  pre- 
paring for  a  charge,  and  did  not  want  his  brigade  to  be  behind  in  the 
charge. 

We  remained  in  this  position,  I  suppose,  about  an  hour.  By  this 
time  the  enemy  had  attacked  General'  Stevenson  on  our  left.  We 
were  then  moved  by  the  left  flank  at  a  double  quick,  near  three-quar- 
ters of  a  mile  ;  were  then  put  in  line  of  battle  and  niove^l  to  the  front 
two  or  three  hundred  yards  before  we  commmenced  firing,  then  Colo- 
nel Cockerell  met  me  with  his  sabre  in  hand,  and  exclaimed  he  was 
very  glad  to  see  me,  for  he  had  been  under  desperate  fire.  I  imme- 
diately ordered  a  charge,  which  my  men  obeyed  as  promptly  as  I  ever 
saw  troops  in  my  life.  We  drove  the  enemy  about  a  half  or  three-quar- 
ters of  a  mile,  through  a  corn-fiLdd  and  across  some  deep  ravines, 
before  they  brought  us  to  a  stand.  This  was  under  a  desperate  fire. 
They  occupied  one  ridge  and  I  another,  with  a  deep  narrow  ravine  be- 
tween us.  Then  they  shot  my  hors;©  three  times,  and  he  laid  down 
and  died  like  a  soldier.  Three  times  I  tried  to  drive  them  from  their 
position,  but  my  men  were  not  able  to  ascend  the  hill  on  which  the 
enemy's  line  was  formed.  At  different  times  my  adjutant  came  id  me 
to  know  what  we  were  to  do  for  ammunition.  I  told  him  to  take  the 
ammunition  from  the  dead  and  wounded,  that  lay  on  the  field.  My 
loss  here  was  upwards  of  one  hundred  men.  We  held  our  position 
until  wc  were  forced,  for  the  want  of  ammunition,  to  fall  back  beyond 
Baker's  Creek,  below  the  bridgeover  which  we  had  crossed  in  going 
out  the  night  befoi'e.  We  did  so,  and  formed  in  open  field,  to  hold 
the  crossing  until  General  Loring  could  cross.  The  enemy  crossed 
the  creek  above  where  we  did,  and  commenced  a  heavy  cannonade  upon 
us,  and  soon  drove  us  from  our  position,  though,  in  the  meanwhile,  wc 
replenished  our  ammunition. 

We  then  took  the  road  towards  Edward's  Depot  and  Big  Black 
bridge.  I  got  there  about  eleven  o'clock,  and  crossed  the  livcr  to 
my  wagon  train.  Jus#  after  sunrise,  on  the  17th,  I  was  or- 
dered by  General  Green,  to  put  my  men  under  arms,  and  bo  ready 
to  move  to  the  east  side  of  the  river.  In  a  few  minutes  I  started, 
(Jcncral  Green  accompanying  me.  The  firing  was  then  going  on  be- 
tween the  men  who  (ccupied  the  ditch  that  night  and  the  enemy's 
'skirmishers.  Wc  crossed  ever  the  bridge  and  moved  up  the  river 
about  half  a  mile.  Here  General  Green  halted  and  ordered  me  to 
move  four  or  five  hundred  yards  higher  up  the  river,  and  take  njy  po- 
sition in  some  rifle  pits  next  to  the  river,  on  the  left  of  the  line  of 
battle,  which  we  did  at  once. 

We  commenced  a  heavy  skirmish  with  the  enemy.  Here  my  horse 
received  a  very  bad  wound  in  the  jaw,  which  brought  him  to  the 
ground.  I  then  went  in  the  ditch  myself.  We  skiruiished  with  the  ene- 
my for  about  an  hour  before  they  made  the  charge.  They  formed  their 
men  on  the  river  in  the  timber,  where  we  could  not  see  tliera.     They 


156 

brought  their  men  out  by  the  right  flank  in  columns  of  four,  about 
one  hundred  and  forty  yards  in  front  of  my  regiment,  at  a  double- 
quick,  Colonel  Kinsmen's  regiment,  twenty-second  Iowa,  General 
Lawlus'  brigade,  leading  t\&  charge.  I  then  opened  a  most  terrific 
fire  upon  them,  and  kept  it  up  until  the  brigade  had  passed  out  of  ray 
sight,  behind  a  grove  of  timber  that  stood  immediately  on  my  right. 
They  moved  so  as  to  strike  the  ditches  occupied  by  Colonel  Vaughn's 
brigade,  so  I  am  informed.  I  do  not  know  whose  troops  were  there, 
but  it  was  immediately  on  the -right  of  Green's  brigade.  After  they 
had  passed  me,  1  listened  for  our  men  to  open  a  heavy  volley  on  my 
right,  and  dr^ve  the  enemy  back.  Upon  not  hearing  any  firing  on  the 
right,  I  directed  Lieutenant  Colonel  Law  to  mount  his  horse  and  go 
to  G-eneral  Green  and  know  whether  the  centre  was  holding  the  po- 
sition or  not. 

Col..  Law  returned  in  a  few  minutes,  and  said  that  General  Green 
ordered  me  to  fall  back  ;  I  did  so  at  once.  After  I  had  got  back  be- 
low the  bend  of  the  river,  1  discovered  that  they  had  crossed  the 
ditches,  and  were  between  me  and  the  bridge.  My  Lieutenant  Colonel 
being  mounted,  tho^ight  he  could  make^his  escape,  and  did  so,  with  the 
loss  of  his  left  arm.  I  told  my  men  to  swim  the  river.  They  all  took 
the  river  except  about  ninety  officers  and  men.  One  or  two  of  my  men 
were  drowned  in  trying'to  swim  the  river.  'The  officers  and  men,  who 
could  not  swim,  plead  so  hard  with  me  to  stay  with  them,  that  I  gave 
way  to  them,  and  all  were  captured.  I  remained  with  the  enemy  thiee 
days,  and  made  my  escape.  I  cannot  give  any  account  of  anything 
that  transpired  after  this  until  after  the  fall  of  Vicksburg, 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

ELIJAH  GATES, 
Colonel  First  Missouri  Cavalry. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  DOCKERY. 

Headquarters,  Enterprise,  Miss., 
July  29,  1863. 

Major  R.  W.  Memminger,  A.  A.  G.  : 

Sir  :  Although  not  the  ranking  officer,  yet,  in  obedience  to  the  order 
of  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding,  i  submit  the  following  as  the 
report  of  the  action  of  the  second  brigade,  Bowcn's  division,  in  the 
battle  of  Champion  Hill,  or  Baker's  Creek,  on  ihe  6th  of  May  last. 

On  the  12th  of  May,  the  brigade  was  ordered  into  position  in  the 
ditches  of  Big  Black — Colonel  Gates,  w  ith  his  regiment,  the  first  Mis- 
souri cavalry,  and  a  section  of  artillery,  being  oh  picket  near  Ed- 
ward's Depot. 

At  three  o'clock,   A.  M.,  on   the   3th,    the  brigade  was  ordered  to 
move  to  Edward's  Depot,  and  take  a  strong  position  about  a  mile  from 
town,  on  the  Port  Gibson  road,  and  hold  it  to  the  last.     Accordingly 
the  brigade  moved  out,  and  reached  Edward's  Depot  about  daylight, 
and  proceeded  out  on  the  Port  Gibson  road.     After  marching  about 
two  and  a  half  miles.  General  Bowen  joined  General  Green.     At  this 
point  the  first  battalion  Arkansas  cavalry  (dismcunted)  sharpshooters 
was  deployed   as   skirmishers,   and   the   brigade   ordered   to  counter- 
march.    It  moved  back  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  and  formed  in 
line  of  battle  on  the  left  of  the  Port  Gibson  road.     About  noon.  Gen- 
eral Loring  sent  an  order  to  General  Green  to  advance  his  skirmish- 
ers and  annoy  and  feel  after  the  enemy.     The  skirmishers  and  pickets 
were  thrown   forward,   and   soon   engaged  those   of  the  enemy    near 
Fourteen  Mile  Creek.     After  a  few  minutes'  skirmishing,  the  enemy 
fell  back.     All  attempts  to  draw  him  out  from  the  creek  proved  fruit- 
less.    At  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on  the  15th,  the  brigade  was  ordered  to 
move  in  the  direction  of  Raymond,  on  the  military  road.     The  brig- 
ade moved  back  to   Edward's  Depot ;    from   thence    across    Baker's 
Creek,  on  the   Clinton  road.     After  crossing  the  creek,  the  brigade 
moved   on  a  right-hand  road  crossing   a  plantation,  and  about  eleven 
o'clock,  P.   M.,  bivouacked  for  the  night  in  line  of  battle,  the  right 
of  the  brigade  resting   on    the   Raymond   road.     About   sunrise    on 
the  morning  of  the  iGth,    the  picket  being  engaged,  the  brigade  was 
ordered  to  move   back  about   two   hundred   yards  to   the   crest  of  the 
hill,  and  there  form  line  of  battle.     After  remaining  in  this  position 
about  tifc-ee-quarters  of  an  hour,  General  Buford  took  the  ground  oc- 
cupied by  the   division,    and  the   brigade  was   ordered  to  move  to  the 
rear,  to  be   held  in   reserve.     Accordingly    it   was   moved  in  line  of 
battle  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  when  the  line  was  again  formed. 
As  soon  as  done,  the  brigade  was   ordered  to  advance,  bearing  to  the 
left.     Heavy   skirmishing   was   heard   on  our  left  wing.      After  some 
manoeuvreing,  the  brigade  recrossed  the  plantation,  and  halted  in  the 
timber,  in  a   ravine.     The  battle  at   this  time  was  raging   with  great 
fierceness  on  the  left  wing,  and  the  brigade  ^^as  ordered  to  move  rap- 
idly by  the  left  flank  to  its  support.     After  moving  about  a  mile,  the 


158 

division,  Major  General  Stevenson,  -was  met,  having  been  repulsed, 
and  closely  pursued  by  the  enemy.  The  troops  were  formed  between 
our  retreating  forces  and  the  advancing  foe,  and  charged  the  enemy. 
The  fighting  now  became  desperate.  The  enemy  finally  gave  way. 
The  formation  of  the  country  was  such  that  the  troops  could  scarcely 
advance  faster  than  a  walk,  and  many  of  the  hills  were  ascended  with 
great  difficulty.  Notwithstanding,  the  command  pushed  impetuously 
forward,  driving  back  in  confusion  the  many  fresh  lines  formed  to 
meet  our  gallant  troops.  The  enemy  had  been  driven  over  a  mile, 
and  all  the  artillery  captured  from  Major  General  Stevenson  was  re- 
captured, and  several  pieces  taken  from  the  enemy.  I  notified  Gen- 
eral Green,  commanding  brigade,  that  my  ammunition  was  about 
exhausted.  lie  replied  thn  the  ordnance  train  had  been  ordered  from 
the  field,  and  that.it  would  be  impossible  to  refill  the  cartridge  bo.xes  ; 
that  the  men  must  use  the  an^muuition  of  ours  and  the  enemy's  killed 
and  wounded  ;  that  the  enemy  must  be  driven  as  long  as  it  were  pos- 
sible to  advance  the  lines,  if  it  bad  to  be  done  with  empty  guns. 

About  this  time  the  enemy  began  to  flank  us  on  the  right.  A  bat- 
tery Avas  opened  upon  them. 

Here  I  would  mention,  and  most  favorably  recommend  to  the  notice 
of  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding,  Sergeant  P.  II.  G.  Gaines,  of 
company  K,  twenty-third  Alabama  infantry,  of  General  Lee's  brig- 
ade, who,  unassisted,  used  with  good  effect  a  twelve  pounder  howitzer 
on  the  flanking  column.  This  sergeant  alone  fired  about  twelve  or  fif- 
teen rounds,  when,  being  noticed  by  General  Green,  four  volunteers 
were  retained  from  the  regiment  supporting  a  battery  a  little  to  the 
right,  I  think  it  was  a  Georgia  regiment  who  gallantly  assisted  Ser- 
geant Gaines  in  working  the  piece,  causing  the  enemy  to  stop  their 
advances  at  that  particular  point.  The  volunteers,  whose  names  I  have 
not  been   able  to  learn,  deserve  great  credit  for  their  bravery. 

The  enemy  continued  the  flank  movement,  bearing  further  to  the 
right.  Captain  Pittman,  A,  I.  G.,  was  sent  to  the  Lieutenant  Gene- 
ral commanding  to  notify  him  of  the  movement,  and  to  ask  for  rein- 
forcements to  check  it,  and  also  to  strengthen  the  right  of  the  brig- 
ade. The  twelfth  Louisiana  Avas  sent  to  the  su{!port  of  the  right. 
No  troops  having  been  sent  to  oppose  the  flanking  force,  the  move- 
ment was  completed,  and  the  brigade,  when  it  was  driving  everything 
in  front,  from  right  to  left,  and  was  within  four  or  five  hundred  yards 
of  the  enemy's  ordnance  train,  was  ordered  to  fall  back,  to  prevent 
being  entirely  cut  off.  Slowly  and  reluctantly,  although  terribly  cut 
to  pieces,  the  brigade  fell  back,  and  raoveil  to  the  ford  onupaker's 
Creek,  leaving  our  dead  and  Avounded  on  the  field,  the  ambulances 
and  many  of  the  surgeons  having  been  ordered  off  previous  to  the 
commencement  of  the  battle,*  At  Baker's  Creek,  General  Bowea 
commanded  that  the  troops  take  position  and  hold  the  crossing  until 
the  other  troops  had  crossed.  Before  the  troops  could  get  in  position 
or  be  supplied  with  ammunition,  the  enemy  crossed  the  creek  above 
the  ford,  with  a  battery  and  an  infantry  force,  and  opened  a  heavy 
fire  upon  us  with  artillery,  at  the  same  time  moving  the  infantry  to- 
wards the  road,   threatening  to  cut  off  the  command  from  Edward's 


159 

Depot.  The  third  Missouri  cavalry  dismounted  and  deployed  as  skir- 
mishers on  the  creek.  General  Green  moved  the  brigade  as  rapidly 
as  possible  towards  Edward's  .Depot,  leaving  the  road  to  the  right, 
and  going  around  the  force  attempting  to  cut  hira  off.  The  enemy's 
infantry  came  down  between  the  brigade  and  the  third  Missouri  cav- 
alry, and  cut  it  oif,  with  the  exception  of  one  company  and  a  few 
stragglers,  who  made  their  way  to  the  brigade.  The  commander  cf 
the  battalion,  finding  himself  cut  off.  made  his  way  to  Major  General 
Loring.  The  command  reached  Edward's  Depot,  and  proceeded  to 
the  caap  at  Big  Black,  where  it  arrived  about  midnight,  ccmpletely 
exhausted,  and  at  daylight  next  morning  was  ordered  into  the  trenches 
at  Big  Black  bridge,  the  report  of  which  engagement  was  forwarded 
by  Brigadier  General  Green  previous  to  his  death. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Dismukes,  of  the  nineteenth  Arkansas,  and 
Lieutenant  Colonel  llobertson,  of  the  twentieth  Arkansas  infantry, 
fell  while  gallantly  charging  the  enemy's  batteries — the  former  mor- 
tally wounded,  and  the  latter  killed. 

I  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Lieutenant  General  command- 
ing to  the  pre-eminently  gnllant  conduct  of  private  Eustis,  of  the 
nineteenth  Arkansas,  who,  during  the  entire  engagement,  although 
frequently  recalled  by  his  company  commander,  kept  at  least  twenty 
or  thirty  yards  in  advance  of  his  regiment,  using  his  gun  with  good 
effect. 

I  have  as  yet  been  unable  to  procure   accurate   lists  of  tho  killed 
and  wounded.     They  will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  obtained. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 
Your  obedient  servant, 

TOM.  P.  DOCKERY, 
Colonel nindecnih  Arkinsaa  ivfaniry, 

Second  brigade,  second  dimsion. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  DOCKERY. 

Headquarters  Second  Brigade,  Second  Division,  ) 
Demopolis,  Ala.,  July  29,  1863.      \ 

To  Major  Memminger, 

A.  A.  G.,  Dep't  Miss,  and  East  Louisiana  : 

Sir  :  In  obedience  to  the  orders  of  the  Lieutenant  General  com- 
manding, I  submit  the  following  as  the  report  of  the  part  taken  by 
this  brigade  in  the  defence  of  Vicksburg  : 

About  sunset  on  the  evening  of  the  17th  of  May,  the  remnant  of 
the  brigade,  (the  most  of  it  having  been  captured  at  Big  Black  bridge,) 
reached  the  city  and  went  into  camp  near  the  cemetery.  On  the  even- 
ing of  the  18th  it  was  ordered  to  take  position  in  rear  of  Brigadier 
General  Moore,  near  the  arsenal,  and  act  as  reserve,  and  marched  to 
the  support  of  different  points  on  the  line  without  doing  but  little  or 
no  fighting,  until  the  morning  of  the  2'2d,  the  brigade  was  ordered  to 
Btrengthen  the  lines  of  Brigadier  General  Moore.  While  on  the  way 
to  General  Moore's  lines  a  courier  from  Brigadier  General  Lee  to' 
General  Green,  reported  that  General  Lee's  line  had  been  broken  by 
the  enemy.  The  brigade  was  moved  at  a  double-quick  to  the  support 
of  General  Lee.  When  near  the  line  of  Gen.  Lee,  his  men  rallied  and 
drove  the  enemy  from  their  works ;  at  least,  when  we  arrived  at  the 
works,  General  Lee's  line  was  complete  and  no  enemy  on  his  works, 
yet  there  was  a  considerable  force  in  a  ditch  or  ravine  under  General 
Lee's  works.  "I  was  ordered  by  General  Green  to  take  the  first 
Arkansas  battalion  sharpshooters  and  open  on  the  enemy  in  the  ditch, 
which  I  did,  and  with  such  effect  as  to  soon  drive  them  from  their 
hiding  place.  At  one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  I  joined  the  rest  of  the  brigade, 
which  had  gone  to  the  support  of  General  Moore's  line,  on  the  Bald- 
win ferry  road.  Here  the  nineteenth  and  twentieth  Arkansas  were 
ordered  into  the  fort  occupied  by  the  third  Texas  infantry,  the  enemy 
occupying  a  position  in  the  ditch  and  a  ravine  in  front  of  the  fort. 
About  half-past  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  first  and  third  Missouri  cav- 
alry, joined  by  the  first  Arkansas  cavalry,  all  (dismounted)  sallied 
from  the  fort,  and  after  a  short  but  desperate  fight,  drove  the  enemy 
from  the  position  with  heavy  loss.  On  the  next  day  the  brigade 
moved  back  to  its  bivouac  near  the  arsenal,  and  continued  in  reserve 
until  the  morning  of  the  28th  instant,  when  it  was  ordered  to  take 
position  in  the  trenches  fronting  the  river,  below  the  city,  and  the 
twenty-ninth  was  ordered  to  take  position  in  front,  above  the  city,  to 
support  the  heavy  siege  batteries,  and  be  ready  to  meet  any  attempt 
to  storm  the  city.  The  brigade  occupied  this  position  until  the  even- 
ing of  the  2d  of  June,  when  it  was  ordered  to  move  out  to  the  works 
in  the  rear  of  the  city,  and  occupy  permanently  a  gap  between  the 
divisions  of  Generals  Smith  and  Forney.  This  was  one  of  the  most 
exposed  positions  in  the  line — the  enemy's  guns  enfilading  the  works 
from  right  to  left,  and  guns  of  heavy  calibre  played  upon  the  works 
from   the   front.     With   the    limited   number  of    entrenching  tools 


161 

on  the  line,  it  took  all  night  to  repair  the  damage  done  to  the  works 
during  the  day.  Too  much  praise  cannot  be  accorded  to  the  officers 
and  men  for  the  untiring  energy  and  perseverance  displayed  by  them 
in  constructing  and  strengthening  the  works.  On  the  26th  the  enemy 
commenced  digging  an  approach  in  front  of  the  fort  on  my  brigade. 
General  Green  having  been  wounded  on  the  day  before,  he  was  una- 
ble to  visit  the  fortifications  and  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy. 
On  the  morning  of  the  27th  he  was  in  the  ditches,  as  was  his  custom, 
rec^nnoitering  the  position  of  the  enemy  along  the  front,  and  while 
looking  over  the  parapet  in  front  of  the  sap  of  the  enemy,  which  was 
only  about  sixty  yards  distant,  he  was  shot  through  the  head  by  a 
sharpshooter  and  almost  instantly  killed.  Here  permit  me  to  lay  my 
humble  tribute  on  his  tomb.  Missouri  has  lost  another  of  her  bravest 
champions  ;  the  South  one  of  its  ablest  defenders.  It  was  my  for- 
tune to  be  intimately  associated  with  him ;  knew  him  well.  He 
joined  the  army  as  a  private  soldier  when  the  tocsin  of  war  first  sent 
its  notes  throughout  the  west.  He  served  his  country  long  and  faith- 
fully. His  soldiers  regarded  him  with  the  reverence  due  a  father,  and 
many  a  tear  was  shed  at  his  fall.  He  was  a  pure  patriot,  and  a  gal- 
lant officer,  and  a  true  Christian  ;  divested  of  everything  like  a  thirst 
for  military  fame,  he  acted  solely  from  a  sense  of  duty  and  right  and 
a  pure  love  of  country,  and  thus  inseparably  twined  himself  not  only 
around  the  hearts  of  his  troops,  but  of  all  who  knew  him. 

The  command  devolving  upon  me,  I  at  once  commenced  counter- 
mines to  that  of  the  enemy,  one  of  which  was  sprung  on  the  night  of 
the  3d  of  July,  with  but  little  damage  to  the  enemy,  .^flag  of  truce 
having  passed  out  of  the  line  at  eight  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of 
the  3d,  there  was  a  suspension  of  hostilities,  which  continued  until 
the  surrender  of  the  forces  at  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.,  in  obedience  to 
the  order  of  the  Lieutenant  (General  commanding.  Th«  troops  up 
to  the  time  of  surrender  were  cheerfal  and  confident  of  success. 
Our  loss  was  heavy  in  killed  and  wounded  during  the  siege.  Cor- 
rect lists  of  the  casualties  will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  they  can  be 
made  out. 

My  thanks  are  especially  due  to  Captain  A.  B.  Pittman,  A.  and  I. 
G.  ;  Captain  H.  M.  Bland,  A.  A.  G.,  and  Lieutenant  Thos.  B.  Green, 
A.  D.  C,  on  the  staff  of  General  Green,  for  the  faithful  and  gallant 
disc^rge  of  the  duties  devolving  upon  them  during  the  siege,  espe- 
cially after  the  fall  of  General  Green.  It  has  been  my  pleasure  to 
witness  the  conduct  of  these  officers  on  the  battle-field,  and  it  is 
with  pleasure  that  I  bear  testimony  as  to  their  coolness  and 
pre-eminent  gallantry,  untiring  energy,  and  perseverance.  I 
earnestly  recommend  them  to  the  favorable  consideration  of  the 
Lieutenant  General  commanding.  The  thanks  of  the  country  are 
due  to  Captains  Neal  and  Bareley  and  Wilkinson,  of  the  first  Mis- 
souri cavalry,  for  the  distinguished  service  rendered  by  them  in 
making  numerous  sorties  out  to  the  enemy's  front,  examining  their 
approaches  and  mines,  and  giving  much  valuable  information. 

I  would    recommend  to    the   favorable  notice    of  the   Lieutenant 
General  commanding,  Sergeant  Fisher,  of  the  lower  batteries,  Mis- 
11 


162 

souri  light  artillery,  who  commanded  a  gun  within  three  hundred 
yards  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  using  it  with  telling  effect,  tearing 
down  the  earthworks,  knocking  out  of  position  their  gabions  or  sap 
rollers.  Frequently  the  enemy  would  open  an  entire  battery  or  lino 
of  skirmishers  upon  the  gun,  sometimes  almost  levelling  the  para- 
pet. Yet  the  men  stood  by  their  gun,  replying  with  good  effect, 
and  at  night,  without  any  assistance  from  the  infantry,  would  repair 
the  damage  done  to  their  works  through  the  day. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
TOM.  P.  DOCKERY, 
Colonel  commanding  Second  Brigade. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  COCKERELL. 

Demopolis,  Ala.,  August  Ist,  18G3. 
Major  R.  W.  Memminger,  A.  A.  G.  : 

Major  :  In  consequence  of  the  death  of  my  gallant  and  lamented  di- 
vision commander,  Major  General  John  Bowen,  I  respectfully  beg 
leave  to  submit  to  you  the  following  report  of  the  part  taken  by  the 
first  brigade  Missouri  volunteers,  Bowen's  division,  composed  of  the 
following  named  infantry  regiments  to  wit:  the  first  Missouri  in- 
fantry, composed  of  the  first  and  fourth  Missouri  regiments,  consoli- 
dated;  the  second  Missouri  infantry;  the  third  Missouri  infantry  ;  the 
fifth  Missouri  infantry;  sixth  Missuri  infantry;  Captain  Guibois' 
battery  ;  Captain  Landis'  battery  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Lan- 
gen,  and  the  Wade  battery,  under  Lieutenant  Walsh,  in  the  battles, 
of  Baker's  Creek,  Big  Black,  and  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 

The  brigade  bivouacked  near  the  battle  field  of  Baker's  Creek  on 
the  night  of  the  15th  of  May  last,  and  immediately  threw  forward  to 
the  distance  of  over  one  hundred  yards,  a  strong  line  of  pickets  ;  and,, 
early  in  the  morning  of  the  16th  instant  changed  po-iition  to  the  front, 
and  left  of  the  first  line,  and  threw  forward  far  in  advance  of  the  bat- 
talion, five  companies  of  skirmishers,  Captain  Burke's  company  "D," 
first  Missouri,  Captain  Wilson's  company  "G,"  second  Missouri,  Cap- 
tain Canniff 's  company  "F,"  5th  Missouri,  Captain  Adams'  company 
**G,"  third  Missouri,  and  Captain  Duncan's  company  "E,"  sixth  Mis- 
souri, all  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  T.  L.  Hubble, 
of  the  fifth  Missouri  infantry.  Our  cavalry  soon  engaged  the^ 
enemy  a  mile  or  more  in  front  of  the  brigade,  and  slowly  re- 
tired to  the  rear'  through  my  line,  k'oon  after  this,  a  line  of  the- 
enemy  appeared  about  twelve  hundred  yards  in  my  front,  when 
Lieutenant  Langen  and  Lieutenant  Walsh  opened  on  them  from 
the  field,  and  immediately  the  enemy  brought  forward  a  battery 
and  replied  lively  to  our  batteries,  disabling  one  of  Lieutenant 
Langen's  twelve-pounder  guns,  and  killing  four  men  by  the  explo- 
eion  of  one  shell,  and  very  soon  after  disabling  the  other  twelve^ 
pounder  gun.  Both  of  these  disabled  guns  were  carried  safely  from., 
the  field.  The  enemy's  battery  soon  withdrew,  and  we  remained  in 
the  same  position  unengaged  with  the  enemy  until  about  or  after  one 
.o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  I  received  an  order  directly  from  Lieutenant 
General  Pemberton,  to  move  and  reinforce  Brigadier  General  Lee,  on 
the  left  of  Major  General  Stevenson  s  line.  I  moved  in  quick  and 
double  quick  time  toward  the  designated  line  ;  but,  before  arriving 
there,  1  received  another  order  to  move  to  Major  Geaeral  Stevenson's 
right.  I  attempted  to  gain  that  portion  of  his  line  by  moving  "  by 
file  right,"  but  in  consequence  of  his  troops  giving  way,  and  the  ex- 
posure of  my  line,  moving  by  the  left  flank,  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy 
rapidly  advancing,  I  immediately,  on  the  left  "  by  file  into  line," 
formed  the  brigade  in  line  of  battle,  under  a  heavy  fire,  resting  the 
right  of  the  fifth  infantry  on  the  left  of  General  Cummings'  brigade,.. 


164 

■whicli  had  been  giving  way,  but  had  apparently  rallied  behind  a  cut 
in  the  road  near  "VVaddell's  battery,  then  rapidly  firing,  and  moving  to 
the  left  of  my  line,  to  place  the  second  Missouri  infantry  in  posi- 
sition.  Before  having  completed  this,  I  received  information  from 
Captain  Maupin,  acting  on  my  stafiVthat  the  right  of  the  brigade  "was  fall- 
ing back,  and,  hastening  thither,  I  found  that  the  brigade  on  my  right 
had  almost  wholly  disappeared,  and  that  the  enemy  had  captured  Cap- 
tain Waddell's  battery,  and  was  occupying  the  ground  and  road  just 
previously  occupied  by  this  brigade  of  Major  General  iStevenson's 
division,  and  were  firing  a  most  destructive  enfilading  fire  into  the 
brigade,  from  right  to  left,  and  th-nt  in  consequence  of  this  fearful 
fire,  portions  of  the  third  and  fifth  Missouri  infantry  had  fallen  back 
a  short  distance.  I  ordered  them  to  regain  their  first  line,  which  was 
quickly  done;  then  I  ordered  the  brigade  to  charge  the  heavy,  strong 
lines  of  the  enemy,  rapidly  advancing  and  cheering,  flushed  with  their 
success  and  the  capture  of  our  guns  ;  and,  in  the  most  gallant,  dashing, 
fearless  manner,  officers  and  men,  with  loud  cheers,  threw  themselves 
forward  at  a  run,  against  the  enemy's  hitherto  victorious  lines. 
Just  at  this  time,  the  first  Missouri  infantry  coming  up,  was  placed  on 
the  extreme  right,  and  most  gallantly  charged  a  very  superior  force 
of  the  enemy,  immediately  in  his  front,  at  the  same  time  being  ex- 
posed to  such  a  destructive,  raking  fire  from  the  enemy  on  the  right, 
all  the  troops  having  fallen  back,  that  Colonel  Riley  had  to  change 
the  front  of  his  two  right  companies.  Soon  the  enemy's  lines  in  front 
of  the  brigade  were  checked,  and  after  a  very  stubborn  resistance, 
and  a  very  destructive  fire  from  my  whole  line,  firing  continually  in 
its  rapid  advance,  they  were  severely  repulsed  and  driven  back,  At 
this  time,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hubble,  with  the  before  named  five 
comranies  of  skirmishers,  who  withdrew  from  the  front  of  ray  former 
position  after  the  brigade  moved,  came  up,  and  forming  in  rear  of 
the  centre  of  the  brigade  line,  most  cheeringly  joined  in  the  charge 
and  overtook  our  lines. 

Fresh  troops  of  the  enemy  were  rapidly  thrown  in  front  of  our 
lines,  and  were  immediately  engaged  and  repulsed.  This  fearful 
strife  was  kept  up  uninterruptedly  for  two  hours  and  a  half.  The 
soldiers  of  this  brigade  fired  away  the  four  rounds  of  ammunition 
nition  in  their  cartridge-boxes,  and,  instead  of  abandoning  the  field, 
took  from  the  cartridge-boxes  of  their  fallen  and  wounded  soldiers, 
and  even  stripped  the  slain  and  wounded  of  the  enemy,  with  whom 
the  ground  was  thickly  strewn,  of  all  their  cartridges — many  of  them 
firing  from  seventy-five  to  ninety  rounds. 

Captain  Waddell's  battery  was  recaptured,  and  this  gallant  and 
fearless  officer  iramediatelyj  with  the  assistance  of  one  or  two  more, 
opened  his  battery  upon  the  fleeing  enemy. 

A  battery  of  the  enemy  attempted  to  check  the  impetuous  advance, 
and  was  quickly  charged  and  captured,  but  could  not  be  brought  off, 
on  account  of  the  horses  being  killed. 

When  all  the  ammunition  in  cartridge-boxes,  and  that  gathered 
from  the  slain  and  wounded  of  friend  and  foe,  was  exhausted,  the 
troops  began  gradually  to  fall  back. 


|hS5 

In  the  early  part  of  the  engagement,  I  sent  two  of  my  staff  officers 
for  ammunition ;  but  the  ordnance  train  could  not  be  found. 

Colonel  McCown,  of  the  fifth  Missouri  infantry  sent  his  major  after 
ammunition  ;  but  he  likewise  failed. 

Colonel  Alexander  Riley,  in  his  official  report  to  me,  states  that 
his  ordnance  sergeant  started  to  him  to  supply  ammunition  fired 
away  by  his  men,  but  was  ordered  across  Baker's  Creek  by  General 
Stevenson. 

Captain  Guibois'  battery,  under  Lieutenant  Corkney,  was  placed  in 
position  on  the  left  of  the  brigade,  and  did  effective  service  in  saving 
the  left  of  the  brigade  from  being  flanked. 

Lieutenants  Langen  and  Walsh,  with  their  batteries,  did  good  ser- 
vice on  the  right  of  the  brigade,  in  checking  the  enemy  in  his  at- 
tempts to  gain  the  rear  of  our  right  flank.  At  this  time  I  received 
notice  through  Captain  Pittraan,  of  Brigadier  General  Green's  staff, 
that  there  was  an  order  to  retreat,  which  I  delayed  communicating, 
hoping  that  Major  General  Loring's  division  might  still  arrive  in  time 
to  push  forward  the  successes  and  advantages  so  gallantly  and  dearly 
won,  having  met  with,  and  been  informed  by,  the  Lieutenant  Gene- 
ral commanding,  in  answer  to  my  request  for  reinforcements,  that  he 
had  not  a  man,  until  General  Lorino;  should  arrive.  In  the  meantime 
the  enemy  were  rapidly  advancing  on  the  right  in  order  of  battle,  al- 
most parallel  to  our  own,  and  I  was  thus  forced  to  withdraw, 
which  was  done  in  good  order.  Retreating  to  and  crossing  Baker's 
Creek,  I  there  received  an  order  from  General  Bowen  to  remain  in 
position  so  as  to  protect  the  crossing,  and  enable  General  Loring's 
division  to  cross  over,  and  then  to  move  on  Big  Black.  Whilst  de- 
laying here,  the  enemy  having  crossed  the  creek  above  us,  advanced 
and  placed  a  battery  in  position  to  command  the  road  from  this  cross- 
ing to  Edward's  Depot,  and  immediately  a  brisk  fire  was  opened  from 
this  battery.  A  short  time  after  the  battery  began  to  fire,  I  heard 
commands  given  to  troops  at  the  crossing,  indicating  that  they  were 
marching  back.  I  immediately  hastened  to  the  crossing  and  found 
Major  General  Stevenson  and  staff,  and  Colonel  Scott's  twelfth  Louis- 
iana regiment  going  bacic,  with  the  belief  that  the  enemy  had  gained 
the  road  and  cut  them  off.  I  informed  General  Stevenson  that  this 
brigade  was  there,  and  wh#tmy  orders  were.  He  and  Colonel  Scott's 
regiment  immediately  crossed  over,  and  Colonel  Scott  moved  on. 

After  this  regiment  passed,  seeing  no  other  troops  coming  to  cross, 
not  even  stragglers,  and  believing  that  the  enemy  probably  occupied 
the  road  to  Edward's  Depot,  I  moved  the  brigade,  leaving  the  road  to 
Edward's  Depot  to  my  right,  I  intersected  the  road  from  Edward's 
Depot  to  Big  Black,  and  then  marched  inside,  and,  by  direction  of 
Brigadier  General  Vaughan,  bivouacked  in  rear  of  the  defences  south 
of  the  railroad. 

Soon  after  leaving  ray  position  at  the  crossing  of  Baker's  Creek,  I 
saw  Col.'  Scott's  regiment  marching  back,  and  was  informed  that  Gen- 
eral Loring  had  ordered  this  regiment  bs^N  to  his  division,  south  of 
Baker's  Creek.  I  ordered  the  batteries  of  this  brigade  not  to  halt  at 
the  crossing,  but  move  rapidly  to  Big  Black ;  and    a  gun  was  lost. 


166 

In  this  battle,  this  brigade  suffered  heavy  losses  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing,  as  will  appear  by  the  following  statement : 


Killed. 

Wounded. 

Missing. 

•Total. 

First  Missouri  infantry, 

29 

94 

52 

175 

Second  Missouri  infantry. 

lU 

35 

38 

83 

Third  Missouri  infantry. 

13 

63 

44 

120 

Fifth  Missouri  infantry, 

4 

49 

37 

90 

Sixth  Missouri  infantry, 

5 

49 

67 

121 

Wade's  battery, 

00 

2 

2 

4 

Landis'  battery. 

4 

1 

00 

5 

Guibois'  battery, 

00 

00 

2 

2 

Total,  65  293  242  600 

Among  the  killed  and  wounded  were  many  of  our  best  oflScers. 
All  the  killed  fell  at  their  post  in  the  full  and  fearless  discharge  of 
their  whole  duty. 

Among  the  slain  of  this  well  embattled  field,  must  ever  be  held  in 
lively  remembrance  the  brave  and  fearless  Captains  Carrington  and 
Sj|angler,  and  Lieutenant  Dobyns,  of  the  first  Missouri  infantry,  and 
Captain  Mcllvaine,  of  the  third  Missouri  infantry.  And  among  the 
wounded,  who  afterwards  died.  Lieutenant  Coionel  T.  L.  Hubble,  of 
the  third,  commanding  five  companies  of  skirmishers,  and  Captain 
McKinney,  of  the  fifth  Missouri  infantry,  and  Lieutenant  Rankin,  of 
the  first  Missouri  infantry. 

I  cannot  speak  with  too  much  praise  of  the  gallantry,  coolness 
and  dashing,  fearless  and  even  reckless,  impetuosity  shown  by  the  offi- 
cers and  soldiers  of  this  brigade  in  forming  their  line  of  battle  under 
heavy  fire,  with  the  troops  on  their  right  and  left  falling  back  past  them 
in  disorder  and  confusion,  and  a  foe  greatly  outnumbering  them  rapidly 
advancing,  cheering,  and  flushed  with  their  hitherto  successful 
charges,  and  their  capture  of  the  guns;  and  then,  in  the  midst  of 
these,  in  throwing  themselves  into  the  breach,  and,  with  continued 
cheers,  driving  the  enemy  back  five  or  six  hundred  yards,  and  re- 
capturing Captain  Waddell's  battery  and  capturing  a  battery  of  the 
enemy. 

With  especial  commendation  I  mention  |^e  names  of  Colonel  Riley 
and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Garland,  of  the  first  Missouri  infantry,  and 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Lenting  and  Major  Carter,  of  the  second  Missouri 
infantry,  and  Colonel  Gause  and  Major  McDowell  of  the  third  Mis- 
souri infantry,  and  Colonel  McCown,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bevill, 
and  Major  Waddell,  of  th'e  fifth  Missouri  infantry,  and  Major  Cooper, 
commanding  sixth  Missouri  infantry. 

Captain  W.  M.  Young,  acting  with  me,  was  severely  wounded  at 
the  post  of  duty  and  danger.  My  acting  adjutant,  J.  M.  Flanagan, 
and  my  acting  aid,R.  L.  Maupin,  merit  special  mention  for  their  cool- 
ness and  discretion  amid  danger. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  BIG  BLACK. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th  of  May,  1863,1  received  an  order 
from  General  Bowen,  that  his  division  would  remain  on  the  east  side 


167 

of  Big  Black.  I  communicated  with  and  reported  to  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Vaughan,  and,  by  his  direction,  I  relieved  all  portions  of  his  line 
or  brigade  in  the  rifle-pits  south  of  the  railroad,  and  as  far  towards 
our  right  as  the  bayou.  This  was  early  in  the  morning,  and  the  brig- 
ade was  at  once  placed  in  this  line.  Brigadier  Generals  Vaughan 
and  Green  occupied  the  rifle-pit  north  of  the  railroad.  General  Green's 
brigade  being  on  the  left. 

The  battery  horses  on  my  line  were  all  sent  back  to  the  river,  not 
by  my  order,  the  guns  being  in  position  whei^  I  moved  into  the 
trenches  ;  but  by  whose  order  they  were  sent  so  far  to  the  iftr  I  do 
not  know. 

The  enemy  soon  appeared  in  ray  front,  advancing  a  line  of 
skirmishers,  and  opening  on  us  with  two  batteries  ;  and  soon  a  line 
of  the  enemy's  infantry  began  to  move  towards  my  line,  when  the 
batteries  opened  on  them  and  drove  them  back  in  confusion.  After 
a  lively  skirmish  fire  had  been  kept  up  for  some  time  along  our  whole 
front,  I  saw  the  line  between  the  railroad  and  the  first  skirt  of  timber, 
north  of  the  railroad,  beginning  to  give  way,  and  then  running  in  dis- 
order, I  watched  this  disorderly  falling  back  a  few  moments,  when 
I  saw  the  enemy  had  possession  of  the  trenches  north  of  the  railroad, 
and  were  rapidly  advancing  towards  the  bridge — our  only  crossing 
and  way  of  escape ;  the  enemy  now  being  nearer  the  crossing  than  my 
line,  I  therefore  ordered  the  brigade  to  fall  back,  and,  moving  rapidly, 
gained  the  bridge,  crossed  over,  and  reformed  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  river,  north  of  the  railroad.  A  portion  of  my  command  being 
cut  off  from  the  bridge,  swam  the  river  and  rejoined  their  command. 

In  crossing  this  bridge  I  lost  two  men  killed  by  thg  enemy's  shell. 

Captain  Guibois'  and  Lieutenant  Walsh's  batteries  were  necessarily  * 
abandoned.     Lieutenant  Langen's  battery  not  being  in  the  trenches, 
was  saved,  and  the  section   of  twenty-four- pounder  howitzers,  being 
posted  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river  did  valuable  service  in  checking 
the  enemy  until  we  crossed. 

Soon  I  received  orders  to  march  to  Vicksburg  ;  which  was  done  the 
same  evening. 

Captain  T.  B.  Wilson,  of  the  second  Missouri  infantry,  company 
**  G,"  claiming  to  have  been  exhausted,  did  not  go  with  his  company 
into  the  batttle  of  Baker's  Creek,  and  liaving  mado  his  way  to  Big 
Black,  joined  his  company  in  the  rifle-pits  early  on  the  morning  of 
the  17th  instant,  and,  when  his  company  was  ordered  to  fall  back, 
abandoned  his  company  and  remained  lying  in  the  rifle-pits,  and  was 
captured  by  the  enemy ;  and,  while  a  prisoner,  stated  to  Colonel 
Elijah  Gates,  of  the  first  Missouri  cavalry,  who  was  also  a  prisoner, 
that  he.  Captain  Wilson,  intended  to  take  the  oath  and  then  go  to 
fighting  the  enemy  as  a  guerrilla.  Such  conduct  merits  a  dismissal 
in  disgrace,  and  such  an  oflicer  should  not  remain  in  the  way  cf  gal- 
lant and  eflicient  oflficers  now  commanding  his  company. 

SIEGE    OF    VICKSBURG. 

On  the  eighteenth  of  May,  1863,  began  the  seige  of  Vicksburg. 
On  this  evening  I  received  an  order  from  General  Bo  wen  to  move  out 


168 

on  the  grave-yard  road  to  support  Major  General  Smith's  division. 
Reporting  to  General  Smith,  in  obedience  to  his  order,  I  occupied 
a  line  on  the  extreme  left  in  advance  of  the  main  line,  afterwards  oc- 
cupied during  the  seige,  and  was  fired  upon  by  the  enemy's  skir- 
mishers before  gaining  my  position.  Skirmishing  continued  till 
darkness  closed  in  this  evening.  I  had  one  man  killed  and  eight 
■wounded.  f 

During  the  night  of  the  18th  instant,  I  withdrew  in  rear  of  our 
main  line,  and  renmined  in  reserve  on  the  right  of  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral IMd win's  bri^de. 

Ab^l  tw.o  o'clock,  P.  M.,  on  the  19th  instant,  the  enemy-, massed 
a  large  force  in  front  of  Brigadier  General  Shoupe's  brigade,  and  the 
left  of  Brigadier  General  Hebert's,  and  the  right  of  Brigadier  General 
Bladwin's,  and  made  a  most  furious  and  determined  assault.  Seeing 
this  concentration  of  the  enemy's  forces,  I  immediately  moved  the  fifth 
Missouri  infantry,  under  Colonel  McCown,  to  the  support  of  General 
Hebert's  left,  and  the  first  Missouri  infantry,  under  Colonel  A.  C . 
Ililcy,  to  the  support  of  the  line  at  the  stockade,  between  General  He- 
bert's left  and  Shoupe's  right,  and  the  second  Missouri  infantry,  under 
Celonel  P.  S.  Lenting,  to  the  support  of  the  twenty-seventh  Louis- 
iana regiment,  on  Shoupe's  right,  and  the  sixth  Missouri  infantry, 
Tjnder  Colonel  Eugene  Erwin,  to  the  support  of  Brigadier  General 
Vaughn's  brigade,  on  the  extreme  left,  then  threatened,  and  held  the 
third  Missouri  infantry,  under  Colonel  W.  R.  Gause,  in  readiness  to 
reinforce  any  point.  The  enemy,  in  large  masses,  without  any  regu- 
lar line,  pressed  forward  very  close  to  our  works,  but  were  soon  se- 
verely repulsed  and  driven  back  in  disorder,  and  every  subsequent 
effort  was  likewise  repulsed. 

This  brigade,  with  General  Shoupe's  brave  Louisianians,  had  the 
honor  of  receiving  the  first  assault  of  the  enemy,  and  repulsing  them  ; 
suffering,  too,  the  dangers  incident  to  such  clash  of  arms,  loosing 
three  killed  and  sixty-tw©  wounded  in  this  engagement.  The  brave 
and  gallant  William  F.  Luckett,  ordnance  sergeant,  second  Missouri 
infantry,  acting  with  me  as  aid,  whilst  bringing  up  ammunition,  was 
mortally  wounded,  and  afterwards  died. 

A  brigade  remained  near  the  line  up  to  22d  instant.  On  this 
day,  about  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  enemy,  preparatory  to  a  charge, 
moved  his  whole  force  as  near  our  lines  as  could  be  done,  and  then 
made  a  most  desperate  and  protracted  effort  to  carry  our  lines  by  as- 
sault. This  assault  was  preceded  by  a  most  furious  fire,  from  the 
enemies  numerous  batteries,  of  shell,  grape  and  cannister.  The  air 
was  literally  burdened  with  hissing  missiles  of  death. 

During  this  terrific  clash  of  arms,  the  fifth  Missouri  infantry  occupied 
a  line  on  the  left  of  the  thirty-sixth  regiment  in  Hebert's  brigade  ;  the 
third  Missouri  infantry  occupied  the  stockade,  and  the  redan  to  its 
right;  five  companies  of  the  Missouri  infantry  occupied  a  portion  of  the 
line  of  the  twenty-seventh  Louisiana  infantry,  and  the  other  five 
companies  in  reserve;  six  companies  of  the  first  Missouri  infantry 
wore  placed  in  the  trenches  with  the  thirty-sixth  Mississippi  regiment, 
and  one  company  occupied  the  redan  to  the  right  of  the  thirty-sixth 


I 


169 

Mississippi  regiment,  and  the  remaining  three  companies  were  moved 
from  point  to  point ;  and  the  sixth  Missouri  infantry  was  sent  to 
reinforce  Brigadier  General  Moore's  line,  and  then  General  Hebert's 
line,  north  of  the  Jackson  road. 

Nobly  did  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  this  brigade  greet  every  assault 
of  the  enemy  with  defiant  shouts,  and  deliberately  aimed,  fired  and  hurled 
them  back  in  disorder.  The  enemy  gained  the  ditch  around  the  redan 
to  the  right  of  the  stockade,  and  occupied  it  for  some  time.  Colonel 
Gause,  of  the  third  Missouri  infantry,  procured  some  fire  shell,  using 
them  as  hand  grenades,  and  threw  them  into  the  ditch  wherre  they  ex- 
ploded, killing  and  younding  some  twenty-two  men  of  the  enemy. 
This  day  the  brigade  Tost  twenty-eight  killed  and  ninety-five  wounded, 
the  third  Missouri  infantry  suffering  fearfully,  loosing  twelve  killed 
and  fifty  two  wounded,  having  been  exposed,  during  the  assault,  to  an 
enfilading  and  rear  fire  in  the  redan,  against  which  there  was  no  pro- 
tection or  defence. 

From  this  day,  until  the  25th  day  of  June,  1863,  the  brigade  was 
held  in  reserve,  and  ordered  from  point  to  point  of  our  whole  line,  ac- 
cordingly, as  different  points  of  the  line  were  threatened  or  became 
endangered  by  the  near  approach  of  the  enemy — sometimes  on  the 
extreme  left,  then  on  the  extreme  right,  and  then  in  the  centre;  work 
ing  day  and  night,  as  circumstances  required,  to  strengthen  our  de- 
fences, and  having  some  m-en  killed  or  wounded  daily. 

On  the  26th  day  of  June,  1863,  the  sixth  Missouri  infantry,  Col. 
Eugene  Erwin,  was  in  reserve  in  rear  of  the  third  Louisiana  infantry, 
which  occupied  the  redan,  north  of  the  Jackson  road.  About  four 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  this  day,  the  enemy  exploded  a  mine,  blowing  off  the 
outer  portion  of  the  redan,  and  immediately  thereafter  attempted  to 
carry  this  point  by  assault.  Colonel  Erwin,  as  soon  as  the  explosion 
occurred,  marched  to  this  point.  The  enemy  occupied  the  outer  slope 
of  this  work,  and  Colonel  Erwin  and  the  second  Louisiana  infantry 
occupied  an  inner  cross  work,  about  twenty-five  feet  from  the  enemy  ; 
and  in  this  position  a  desperate  struggle  was  made  by  the  enemy  to 
carry  this  redan,  but  every  effort  of  the  enemy  was  successfully  re- 
pulsed. 

In  this  struggle,  Colonel  Eugene  Erwin,  of  the  sixth  Missouri  in- 
fantry, a  most  fearless,  prudent  and  meritorious  officer,  was  pierced 
by  two  balls,  and  poured  out  the  crimsoned  treasures  of  his  heart 
on  his  country's  altar,  and  now,  among  the  lifeless  defenders  of 
Vicksburg,  fills  a  patriot  soldier's  grave.  This  day  the  sixth  Missouri 
infantry  lost  three  killed,  and  twenty-six  wounded. 

On  the  nigth  of  the  25th  instant.  Colonel  McCcwn  was  ordered  to 
this  point,  and  the  second  Missouri  infantry,  on  the  night  of  the 
26th  inst. 

On  the  evening  of  the  26th,  having  procured  a  number  of  six  and 
twelve-pounder  shell  to  be  used  as  hand  grenades,  I  caused  them  to 
be  thrown  into  the  midst  of  the  enemy,  and  thus  drove  them  from  their 
position,  and  reoccupied  the  entire  redan.  When  the  enemy  made 
the  assault  on  the  25th  instant,  they  threw  a  large  number  of  hand 
grenades  into  our  lines,  doing  much  injury. 


170 

On  the  evening- of  July  1st,  the  enemy  exploded  a  mine  charged 
with  at  least  two  thousand  pounds  of  powder,  making  a  fearful 
breach  through  a  portion  of  the  redan,  burying  Lieutenant  Cren- 
shaw and  killing  Lieutenant  Roseberry  and  several  privates  of  the 
sixth  Missouri  infantry,  some  of  whom  were  blown  high  up  into  the 
air  and  buried  in  the  wreck.  Eight  negroes  and  the  overseer  in  charge, 
working  a  counter  mine,  were  also  killed.  A  large  number  of  the 
sixth  Missouri  infantry  were  blown  up  and  thrown  over  the  brow  of 
the  hill,  and  quite  a  number  severely  wounded.  Simultaneously  with 
the  explosion,  the  enemy  opened  a  terrific  fire,  at  short  range,  from  two 
eight-inch  columbiads,  two  thirty-pounder  Parrott  guns  and  one 
twelve-pounder  howitzer,  and  a  mortar  throwing  twelve-pound  shell, 
(afterwards  ascertained  to  be  a  wooden  mortar,)  concentrating  their 
whole  fire  on  this  one  point.  This  mortar  did  us  great  damage,  having 
exact  range  of  our  position,  and  throwing  shells  heavily  charged  with 
powder.  The  force  of  this  terrific  explosion  threw  the  ofl&cers  and 
men  of  the  sixth  Missouri  infantry  and  a  portion  of  the  third  Lou- 
isiana infantry  back  from  the  works  over  the  brow  of  the  hill,  knock- 
ing off  their  hats  and  their  guns  out  of  their  hands,  bruising  and 
wounding  quite  a  number ;  but,  notwithstanding  this,  these  gallant 
soldiers  rallied,  seized  the  nearest  gun,  and  rushed  back  to  the  works ; 
the  veterans  of  the  third  Louisiana  infantry  raised  a  cheer  which  was 
quickly  taken  up  by  our  troops.  Immediately  after  the  explosion,  I 
ordered  up  the  second  Missouri  infantry,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Lenting,  to  this  point,  and  about  six  o'clock,  P.  M.,  relieved  the  sixth 
Missouri  infantry  with  the  second  Missouri.  The  fire  from  the  enemy's 
batteries  was  kept  up  till  after  dark,  and  from  the  mortar  during  the 
entire  night.  This  day,  the  sixth  Missouri  infantry  lost  eight  killed  and 
forty-eight  wounded,  and  the  second  Missouri  infantry  lost  three  killed 
.  and  thirty-five  wounded,  many  severely,  who  afterwards  died.  Among 
the  killed  of  to-day  is  numbered  one  of  the  best  oflicers  in  the  Mis- 
souri army,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Pembroke  S.  Lenting,  of  the  second 
Missouri  infantry ;  brave,  cool  and  generous,  a  model  soldier  and  offi- 
cer ;  and  also  Lieutenants  Crenshaw  and  Roseberry,  of  the  sixth  Mis- 
souri infantry.  On  this  evening,  the  first  Missouri  infantry  was 
moved  to  this  point,  and  these  four  regiments,  the  first,  second,  and 
fifth  and  sixth  Missouri  infantry  relieved  each  other  every  six  or  twelve 
hours  thereafter.  The  first  Missouri  infantry  occupied  this  perilous 
point  during  the  day  of  the  second  instant,  and  late  that  evening  was 
moved  to  reinforce  General  Barton's  line  on  the  extreme  right.  On 
the  morning  of  the  3d  instant,  the  firing  ceased,  pending  negotiations 
for  the  capitulation  of  the  garrison,  which  took  place  on  the  morning 
of  the  4th  instant. 

Not  having  guns  enough  for  the  artillerymen  of  this  brigade  during 
the  siege,  they  were  placed  in  charge  of  guns  at  different  points  of  the 
line,  and  all  did  good  service. 

During  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  this  brigade  lost  heavily  in  killed 
and  wounded,  as  will  appear  by  the  following : 


171 

Killed.         Wounded.         Total. 


First  Missouri  infantry, 

18 

70 

88 

Second  Missouri  infantry, 

17 

89 

106 

Third  Missouri  infantry, 

18 

83 

101 

Fifth  Missouri  infantry. 

20 

52 

72 

Sixth  Missouri  infantry. 

33 

133 

166 

Landis'  battery. 

4 

6 

10 

Wade's  battery, 

2 

9 

11 

Guibois'  battery, 

I 

4 

5 

Total,  113  446  559 

This  is  a  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  of  over  one  third  of  the  -whole 
brigade,  and  shows  that  this  brigade  was  almost  continuousl}^  during 
the  entire  siege,  exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire  ;  and  at  no  time  during 
this  eventful  siege  did  these  troops  ever  waver  or  fail  to  go  to  or 
occupy  any  point,  regardless  of  its  exposure,  and  frequently  had  to 
and  did  occupy  points  on  the  line  so  exposed  that  other  troops, 
although  in  their  own  line,  would  give  them  up  for  these  troops  to 
occupy.  They  endured  all  the  dangers,  fatigues,  exposures,  and  the 
weakness  consequent  on  the  insufficient  rations,  with  a  most  com- 
mendable cheerfulness  and  soldierly  bearing,  willing  to  endure  all 
things  for  the  safety  of  the  garrison,  and  desirous  of  holding  out  and 
fighting  as  lorig  as  there  was  a  cartridge  or  a  ration  of  mule  or  horse. 
And  when  tlie  garrison  capitulated,  they  felt  they  were  disarmed,  but 
in  no  wise  whipped,  conquered  or  subjugated.  I  cannot  commend 
too  highly  the  field,  staft'  and  lino  officers  of  this  brigade  for  their 
cool  daring  and  judicious  bearing  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  their 
whole  duty,  regardless  of  personal  safety  and  comfort.  And  I  espe- 
cially commend  the  constancy  of  the  following  named  officers  in 
remaining  with  their  respective  commands  : 

Colonel  A.  C.  Riley  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Garland,  first  Mis- 
souri infiintry.  Lieutenant  Colonel  P.  S.  Lenteng  and  Major  Carter, 
of  the  second  Missouri  infantry,  and  Major  McDowell,  of  the  third 
Missouri,  and  Colonel  Joseph  M.  McCown  and  Major  C.  A.  Waddell, 
of  the  fifth  infantry,  and  Major  Cooper,  of  the  sixth  Missouri.  All 
the  company  officers,  with  few  execeptions,  remained  constantly  with 
their  commands,  and  with  their  men,  suffered  hardships,  exposures 
and  dangers.  But  the  privates  justly  won  and  shall  receive  the  mede 
of  praise. 

To  Captain  R.  L.  Maupin,  acting  as  my  aid,  I  am  under  special 
obligations  for  the  invaluable  services  rendered  me  during  the  entire 
siege,  the  very  bravest  of  the  brave,  cool,  prudent  and  discreet,  a 
braver  or  a  better  soldier  never  bared  his  bosom  or  raised  his  arm  in 
defence  of  constitutional  liberty.  He  justly  merits  the  gratitude  of 
his  country. 

I^have  the  honor  to  be,  most  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  soldier, 

F.  M.  COCKERILL, 
Colonel  commanding  first  brigade  Missouri  volunteers. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  REYNOLDS. 

Headquarters  Fourth  Brigade,  Stevenson's  Division,  > 
Demopolis,  Ala.,  July  2-7,  1862.  \ 

Major  J.  J.  Reeve, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General,  Stevenson's  Division  : 

Major:  On  the  morning  of  the  18th  of  May,  my  brigade  was 
assigned  its  position,  on  the  line  of  entrenchments,  on  the  left  of 
General  Barton,  whose  brigade  occupied  the  extreme  right,  my  left 
resting  on  the  Hall's  ferry  road,  and  on  the  right  of  General  Cum- 
mings. 

The  thirty-first  Tennessee,  fifty-ninth,  and  five  companies  of  the, 
third  Tennessee  regiment,  were  assigned  to  the  ditches ;  the  forty- 
third  regiment,  and  five  companies  of  the  third  Tennessee  regiment, 
held  as  reserve.  The  artillery,  consisting  of  five  light  pieces,  under 
Captain  Claiborne,  were  posted  in  the  centre  and  right  centre ;  one 
piece,  under  Captain  Corput,  on  the  left  centre ;  one  section,  under 
Lieutenant  Bowers,  on  the  right ;  one  piece,  under  Lieutenant  Hart- 
son,  on  the  right  centre,  and  one  eighteen-pounder  siege  piece,  on  the 
left  centre,  under  Lieutenant  Crane. 

In  taking  my  position,  I  found  the  works  so  weak  and  easily  enfi- 
laded, that  it  was  necessary  to  fill  up  some  of  the  trenches  and  dig 
others.  Consequently,  I  did  so,  and  erected  new  redoubts  on  the  line 
for  my  artillery.  On  the  night  of  the  18th,  I  threw  out  a  line  of 
skirmishers  or  pickets,  about  half  a  mile  in  front  of  my  works. 
Each  officer  and  soldier  was  assigned  his  place  in  the  rifle-pits,  and 
my  reserves  in  proper  position. 

The  precaution  of  throwing  out  pickets,  at  some  distance  in  front, 
had  the  effect  of  keeping  the  sharpshooters  of  the  enemy  at  a  distance, 
and  preventing  my  line  being  annoyed  as  those  on  the  left  of  me  had 
been  from  the  beginning,  besides  giving  me  the  opportunity  of 
strengthening  my  works  unmolested. 

Notwithstanding  my  line,  for  the  time,  was  but  little  harassed  by 
the  enemy  in  my  front,  it  was  greatly  annoyed  by  the  shells  from  the 
gun-boats  and  mortars,  established  on  the  peninsular,  and  in  the 
river,  which  opened  daily  upon  our  rear. 

About  the  29th  of  May,  the  enemy,  by  a  superior  force,  drove  in  my 
picket  line.  After  nightfall  I  attacked  the  enemy,  in  turn,  and 
re-established  my  line. 

On  the  Ist  of  June,  the  enemy  established  a  battery,  about  eight 
hundred  yards  in  my  front,  and  opened  fire  upon  me.  This  gun, 
however,  was  soon  silenced  by  Captain  Claiborne's  rifle  pieces. 

On  the  nights  of  the  3d  and  4th  of  June,  the  enemy  placed  in  posi- 
tion four  guns  of  heavy  calibre,  which  opened  on  the  5th,  at  daylight. 
These  guns  continued  to  play  incessantly  upon  my  works  throughout 
the  siege,  except  at  night,  and  a  few  hours  during  the  heat  of  the  day. 

On  the  9th  of  June,  several  twenty-pounders,  Barrett's,  were 
mounted  within  four  hundred  yards  of  our  line,  our  pickets  having 


173 

been  gradually  withdrawn — those  of  the  enemy  having  advanced 
within  seventy-five  yards  of  our  line,  throwing  up  works  much 
stronger  than  those  occupied  by  our  troops.  These  entrenchmets  were 
continuous  along  my  entire  line.  The  sharpshooters  were  numerous, 
and  kept  up  such  a  continal  fire,  that  to  show  any  part  of  the  body 
above  the  parapet  was  almost  certain  to  be  struck. 

Frequent  sorties  were  made  from  my  line  at  night,  driving  the 
enemy  from  their  entrenchments  and  filling  them  up.  Owing  to  the 
superior  force  of  the  enemy,  it  was  impossible  to  hold  the  position 
gained. 

The  fire  increased  daily,  as  the  enemy  would  mount  additional 
guns,  and  increased  their  number  of  sharpshooters.  This  incessant 
firing  continued  until  the  afternoon  of  the  3d  of  July,  when  it  ceased, 
and  the  garrison  capitulated. 

Early  in  the  siege,  the  fortj'-third  Tennesse  regiment,  Colonel  Gil- 
lispie,  commanding,  reinforced  General  Lee,  and  bore  its  part  in 
repulsing  the  charges  on  his  line. 

During  those  forty-seven  days,  under  the  terrific  fire  of  the  enemy's 
artillery  and  infantry,  the  ofiicers  and  men  of  the  brigade  bore  them- 
selves with  constancy  and  courage.  Often  half  fed  and  illy  clothed, 
exposed  to  the  burning  sun  and  soaking  rains,  they  performed  their 
parts  cheerfully  and  without  a  murmur. 

During  the  siege,  many  valuable  lives  were  lost.  Among  others,  I 
would  mention  the  names  of  Captain  Y.  0.  Claiborne,  third  Maryland 
battery,  and  Major  Boyd,  third  Tennessee  regiment.  The  former  was 
killed  on  the  24th  of  June,  while  gallantly  fighting  his  gun.  The 
latter  died  from  exposure.  No  more  gallant  officers  ever  gave  up 
their  lives  for  their  country. 

Thf^  officers  of  my  staff  performed  their  duties  faithfully  and 
promptly.  Major  Pfifer,  my  assistant  inspector  general.  Captain  W, 
II.  Claiborne,  my  acting  assistant  adjutant  general,  and  Lieutenant 
W.  IT.  Patton,  my  aid,  were  conspicuous  for  gallantry  and  good  con- 
duct during  the  siege. 

The  list  of  my  killed  and  wounded  I  have  already  forwarded  to 
your  headquarters. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  W.  REYNOLDS, 
Colonel,  commanding  fourth  Brigade. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  WAUL. 

Headquarters  Waul's  Texas  Legion,  > 
Demojoo^w,  July  30th,  1863.      } 

Major  R.  W.  Memminger,  A.  A.  General : 

In  obedience  to  the  orders  of  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding,  I 
have  the  honor  to  report  the  part  taken  by  Waul's  Texas  legion,  in 
the  defence  of  the  city  of  Vicksburg. 

The  position  of  the  legion,  which  entered  the  city  on  the  17  th  of 
May,  and  present  during  the  siege,  consisted  of  eleven  companies  of 
infantry,  one  company  of  artillery,  a  detachment  of  mounted  scouts 
and  a  battalion  of  zouaves,  attached  to  the  command. 

Captain  Wall's  battery  of  artillery  was  ordered  to  report  to  Gene- 
ral Forney,  under  whose  command"  it  remained  until  the  capitulation. 
The  rest  of  the  command,  placed  in  reserve  by  order  of  the  Lieutenant 
General,  were  present  on  the  18th  and  19  th  at  the  different  points  on 
Generals  Smith's  and  Forney's  line  assaulted  by  the  enemy,  or  when 
an  attack  seemed  imminent. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  19th,  ordered  to  report  to  General  Steven- 
son. The  command  was  placed  in  rear  of  General  Lee's  brigade,  it 
being  the  most  assailable  and  threatened  point  on  General  Stevenson's 
line. 

*  On  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  May,  the  enemy  opened  with  a  fierce 
and  incessant  fire  of  artillery,  which  continued  for  two  hours  after 
the  cannonading  ceased.  The  enemy  moved  in  distinct  and  separate 
columns  against  each  of  the  salient  points  in  General  Lee's  front. 
Their  forces  massed  in  the  rear,  the  a  Ivance  and  supporting  columns 
started  at  a  double-quick  with  the  division  in  front. 

Two  companies  of  the  legion,  under  the  command  of  Major  Steele, 
were  sent  to  support  the  garrison  in  the  left  redoubt ;  the  remainder 
were  ordered  to  the  front,,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  defence  of 
the  line,  and  the  repulse  of  the  enemy,  unprotected  by  breastworks. 
They  were  subjected  to  the  most  galling  fire,  and  well  they  sustained 
the  noble  cause  for  which  they  fought,  never  relaxing,  but  with  in- 
creased ardor,  until  the  last  of  the  enemy  was  prostrated  or  driven 
from  their  sight. 

The  loss  was  very  severe — particularly  so  in  officers — every  officer 
of  the  staff  present  being  either  killed  or  severely  wounded. 

Assistant  Adjutant  General  Popenderick  and  Aid-de-Camp  Sim- 
mons, after  exhibiting  the  most  gallant  and  daring  bravery  in  extend- 
ing orders  under  the  incessant  storm  of  shell  and  minnie  balls,  fell, 
leaving  an  undying  record  of  their  courage  and   dauntless  bravery. 

After  the  repulse  of  the  advanced  columns  of  the  enemy,  it  was 
perceived  that  a  party,  more  daring,  had  crossed  the  ditch  of  the  re- 
doubt on  the  left,  planted  two  flags  upon  the  parapet,  entered  a 
breach  made  by  their  artillery,  taking  a  few  prisoners,  and  driving 
the  garrison  from  the  angle  of  the  fort. 


175 

Alive  to  the  importance  of  the  position,  General  Lee  issued  and  re- 
iterated orders  to  Colonel  Shelley,  commanding  the  twenty-third  Ala- 
bama, and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Pettus,  commanding  the  forty-sixth 
Alabama,  who  occupied  the  fort,  to  retake  it  all  hazards,  offering  the 
flags  to  the  command  capturing  them.  After  several  vain  attempts 
they  refused  to  volunteer,  nor  could  the  most  strenuous  efforts  of 
'their  chivalric  commanders  urg*e  or  incite  them  to  the  assault.  Gen- 
eral Lee  then  directed  the  Colonel  of  the  legion  to  have  the  fort 
taken.  He  immediately  went  there,  taking  with  him  one  battalion  of 
the  legion  to  aid  or  support  the  assailants,  if  necessary,  informing 
Captain  Bradley  and  Lieutenant  Hagan,  who  respectively  commanded 
the  companies  that  had  been  previously  sent  as  a  support  to  the  gar- 
rison. These  gallant  officers  not  only  willingly  agreed,  but  solicited 
the  honor  of  leading  those  companies  to  the  assault.  Not  wishing  to 
expose  a  larger  force  than  was  neccsssary.  Captain  Bradley  was  or- 
dered to  select  twenty  men,  and  Lieutenant  Hagan  fifteen  from  their 
respective  forces.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Pettus,  thoroughlj'^  acquainted 
with  the  locality  and  its  approaches,  came,  musket  in  hand,  and  most 
gallantly  offered  to  guide  and  lead  the  party  into  the  fort.  Three  of 
Colonel  Shelley's  regiment  also  volunteered.  With  promptness  and 
alacrity  they  moved  to  the  assault,  retook  the  fort,  drove  the  enemy 
through  the  breach,  then  entered,  tore  down  the  stand  of  colors,  still 
floating  over  the  parapet,  sent  them  to  the  Colonel  commanding  the 
legion,  who  immediately  trai^mitted  them  with  a  note  to  General 
Lee.  This  feat,  considered  with  the  accompanying  circumstances, 
the  occupation  by  the  enemy,  the  narrow  pass  through  which  the 
party  had  to  enter,  the  enfilading  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery  they  had 
to  encounter  in  the  approach,  the  unwillingness  of  the  garrison,  consist- 
ing of  two  regiments,  to  volunteer,  and  permitting  the  flags  to  float  for 
three  hours  over  the  parapet,  the  coolness,  courage  and  intrepiditymani- 
fested,  deserve  highest  praise  for  every  officer  and  man  engaged  in  the 
hazardous  enterprise.  The  enemy,  driven  from  the  fort,  ensconced 
themselves  behind  the  parapet  in  the  outer  ditch.  Two  companies  were 
immediately  ordered  to  the  fort  to  aid  in  dislodging  the  enemy.  Many  of 
the  men  mounted  the  parapets  into  the  ditch,  subjecting  themselves  to 
the  aim  of  its  occupants,  and  the  concentrated  fire  from  the  enemy's 
lines.  A  few  shell,  used  as  hand  grenades,  bursting  among  the  enemy, 
soon  caused  them  to  surrender  ;  although  so  soon  as  we  ceased  casting 
missiles,  under  cover  of  the  approaching  darkness,  more  than  half  of  the 
number  escaped.  In  the  pursuit.  Lieutenant  Colonel  "Wregley,  of  the 
second  battalion,  captured  the  other  stand  of  colors,  snatched  by  the 
enemy  from  the  parapet,  but  dropped  in  his  flight. 

During  the  remainder  of  the  siege,  the  command  was  distributed 
in  the  rifle-pits,  forming  nightly  scouting  parties,  parties  of  recon- 
noissance,  and  supporting  our  working  parties  and  pickets. 

At  ten  o'clock  of  the  day  of  the  capitulation,  the  command  marched 
out  of  the  entrenchments  with  their  colors  flying  and  band  playing. 
Having  saluted  their  colors,  they  stacked  arms,  and  returned  prison- 
ers, under  parole,  into  camp.  It  is  not  thought  necessary  to  enlarge 
upon  the  privations  they  suffered  in  common  with  the  rest  of  the  gar- 


176 

rison,  their  continued  vigils,  resolute  and  unwavering  conduct  under 
the  necessary  and  continued  exposure  to  which  they  were  subjected, 
their  desire  for  every  post  of  danger,  even  when  more  than  one-third 
of  their  number  were  killed  or  wounded.  The  command  having  lost 
more  officers  than  the  division,  by  far  the  largest  in  the  army  to  which 
they  were  attached. 
The  casualties  v^ere : 

Killed.  Wounded.  Missing, 

Officers,       -         -         10  37  \ 

Enlisted  men,      -         37  153  7 


47  190  8 

During  the  siege,  this  command  lost  many  of  its  ablest  officers. 
Major  Cameron,  Captains  Carter  and  Ledbetter,  and  many  others  who 
nobly  fell  where  their  duty  called  them,  encouraging  and  inspiring 
their  men  by  their    own  example. 

1  desire  to  acknowledge  to  both  officers  and  men  for  their  prompt 
and  willing  obedience  to  every  order;  ordinary  camp  murmurings 
against  commissaries  and  quartermasters  were  hushed  ;  scant  rations 
were  received  with  more  pleasure  than  the  most  abundant  heretofore. 
They  entered  fully  into  the  wishes  of  the  Lieutenant  General  to  ex- 
tend over  the  greatest  length  of  time  the  provisions  on  hand.  Actu- 
ated by  the  sole  desire  to  hold  the  city^nd  defeat  the  enemy,  they 
were  ready  to  obey,  and  with  eagerness^ny  command  that  prudence 
and  desperation  might  require. 

In  addition  to  those  already  mentioned.  Major  0.  Steele  greatly  as- 
sisted by  his  vigilance  and  promptness  in  sustaining  discipline,  and 
holding  the  command  prepared  for  the  most  sudden  emergency. 

Captain  H.  Westland,  by  his  extensive  military  labors,  in  addition 
to  the  command  of  his  company,  his  courage  and  self-possession 
amidst  the  hottest 'of  the  conflict,  recommend  him  as  a  valuable  officer. 

Captain  Fleitas,  of  the  first  Louisiana  zouaves,  prompt  and  fearless 
with  his  brave  command,  rendered  essential   support  to  the  legion 
through  the  eventful  progress  of  the  siege. 
I  am,  respectfully, 

T.  N,  WAUL, 
Colonel  commanding  WauVs  l^exas  Legion 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  HIGGINS. 

Headquarters,  Enterprise,  Mis8., 
July  25,  1863. 

Major  R.  W.  Memminger,  A.  A.  G. : 

Major  :  I  have  the  honor  to  report  the  operations  of  the  river  bat- 
teries, under  my  command,  during  the  recent  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
The  line  of  battle  extended  along  the  river  front,  commencing  at  ft 
point  above  Fort  Hill,  on  the  right  of  my  line,  to  a  redoubt,  which 
terminated  the  extreme  right  of  the  rear  line,  and  met  my  left — a  dis- 
tance of  three  miles,  and  consisted  of  eight  lO-inch  columbiads,  one 
9-inch  Dalghren,  one  8-inch  columbiad,  one  7.44-inch  Blakely  gun, 
one  7- inch  Brooks,  one  6.4-inch  Brooks,  three  smooth-bore  42-pounGl- 
ers,  two  smooth-bore  32-pounders,  eight  handed  and  unhanded  32- 
pounder  rifles,  one  18-pounder  rifle,  one  2()-pounder  Parrott,  one 
Whitworth,  one  10-inch  mortar,  one  8-inch  siege  howitzer — making, 
in  all,  thirty-one  pieces  of  heavy  artillery,  besides  thirteen  pieces  of 
light  artillei^,  which  were  placed  in  position  to  prevent  a  landing  cf 
the  enemy  on  the  city  front.  These  batteries  were  divided  into  three 
commands,  as  follows  :  The  upper  batteries,  from  Fort  Hill  to  the 
upper  bayou,  were  worked  by  the  first  Tennessee  artillery,  under 
Colonel  Andrew  Jackson,  Jr.;  the  centre  batteries,  or  those  immedi- 
ately on  the  city  front,  were  under  charge  of  Major  F.  N.  Ogden, 
eighth  Louisiana  battalion  of  artillery,  to  whose  command  were  attached 
Captain  S.  C.  Bain's  company  of  Vaiden  light  artillery  ;  the  lower 
batteries  were  under  charge  of  the  first  Louisiana  artillery,  under 
Lieutenant  Colonel  D.  Beltzhower;  a  portion  of  the  twenty-third 
Louisiana  volunteers  were  joined  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Beltzhower'e 
command. 

On  the  evening  of  the  18th  of  May,  1863,  the  investment  commenced 
in  rear  of  the  city ;  at  the  same  time,  five  of  the  enemy's  gunboatp., 
four  of  which  were  iron-clads,  cam-3  up  from  below,  and  took  position 
in  the  river,  just  out  of  range  of  our  guns,  whilst  the  river  above,  and 
in  front  of,  the  city,  was  guarded  by  three  gunboats,  these  completing 
the  investment. 

On  the  evening  of  the  19th,  the  enemy's  sharpshooters,  having  ob- 
tained possession  of  our  abandoned  line  of  water-works,  opened  a  fire 
upon  the  upper  four-gun  water  battery,  commanded  by  Major  H.  N. 
Hawley,  of  the  Tennessee  artillery,  thus  rendering  the  battery  tem- 
porarily untenable.  Advantage  was  taken  of  the  darkness  of  night 
to  construct  traverses  on  the  banks,  in  rear  of  the  guns  of  this  bat- 
tery ;  and  at  daylight  there  was  ample  protection  aflforded  to  the  men 
whilst  at  the  guns.  The  enemy  above  commenced  feeling  our  batte- 
ries, and  opened  a  heavy  fire,  from  three  of  his  iron-clads,  upon  Cap- 
tain Caper*8  ten-inch  columbiad,  on  the  left  of  my  line.  Their  fire 
was  kept  up  for  several  hours,  but  without  any  serious  damage. 
13 


178 

At  daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  20th,  the  enemy  opened  firo 
Tijion  the  city  and  batteries,  with  seven  mortars,  placed  under  the 
banks  of  the  river,  on  the  Louisiana  shore.  Three  iron-clads  also 
shelled  the  lower  batteries,  at  long  range 

On  the  22d,  at  nine  o'clock,'  A.  M.,  four  iron-clads  and  one  wooden 
gunboat  engaged  the  river  batteries ;  and  after  an  engagement  of  an 
hour  and  a  half  were  repulsed.  Two  of  the  iron-clads  were  seriously 
damaged.  This  engagement  was  creditable  to  the  first  Louisiana  ar- 
tillery, who,  with  ten  guns,  and  mostly  of  small  calibre,  contested 
successfully  against  thirty-two  heavy  guns  of  the  enemy.  Our  cas- 
ualties were  only  two  wounded  during  the  fight.  One  ten-inch  co- 
lurabiad  and  the  eighteen-pounder  rifle  gun  was  temporarily  disabled. 
The  Blakely  gun  burst  at  the  muzzle.  On  the  22d,  eleven  of  the 
lio^ht  pieces  on  the  river  front  were  ordered  to  the  rear ;  and  were 
there  fought  by  detachments  from  my  command  during  the  remainder 
of  the  siege. 

From  the  24th  to  the  26th,  mortars  keep  up  a  steady  fire  upon  the 
city  and  batteries.  The  eight-inch  siege  howitzer,  one  smooth-bore 
thirty-two  pounder,  the  twenty-pounder  Parrott,  and  the  Whitworth 
gun,  were  rftmoved  to  the  rear,  with  their  detachments. 

Soon  after  daylight,  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  the  enemy's  iron- 
clad gunboat  Cincinnati,  mounting  ten  guns,  was  observed  approach- 
ing our  upper  batteries,  whilst  four  ilron-clads  approached  the  lower 
batteries.  An  engagement  took  place,  which  resulted  in  the  complete 
rc-pulse  of  the  enemy,  and  the  sinking  of  the  Cincinnati,  in  front  of 
our  guns,  after  an  action  of  thirty  minutes.  Great  credit  is  due  Cap- 
tains Lynch  and  Johnson,  of  the  first  Tennessee  heavy  artillery,  for 
the  handsome  manner  in  which  their  guns  were  handled  during  the 
engagement.  The  enemy's  loss  was  severe,  many  of  their  men  being 
killed  in  the  portrholes  by  our  sharpshooters.  Many  attempts 
were  made  by  the  enemy  to  recover  the  guns  of  the  Cincinnati,  by 
■working  every  night,  to  prevent  which,  fire  was  opened  on  the  sunken 
boat  every  night,  from  one  or  two  of  my  guns,  during  the  siege. 

On  the  28th,  the  eighteen-pounder  rifled  gun  was  sent  to  the  rear 
line,  in  charge  of  Captain  L.  B.  Haynes,  company  E,  first  regiment 
Louisiana  artillery. 

At  daylight,  on  the  Slst,  a  tremendous  fire  was  opened  on  the  city, 
from  the  enemy's  guns  in  the  rear,  which  did  some  damage  to  the 
works  of  the  upper  batteries.  A  battery  of  two  small  Parrott  guns, 
w^iich  opened  upon  my  left  at  the  same  time,  was  silenced  by  Captain 
Gaper's  ten-inch  columbiad. 

June  1st. — A  large  fire  broke  out  in  the  city,  close  upon  the  maga- 
Bine  of  the  ''  Whig  office"  battery,  which  was  at  one  time  in  great  dan- 
ger. The  ammunition  was  taken  out  and  placed  in  a  more  secure 
position.  All  the  men  of  my  command  that  could  be  spared  from  the 
guns  were  ordered  out  immediately  to  assist  in  arresting  the  progress 
of  the  conflagration. 

From  June  2d  to  the  8th,  the  enemy  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  from 
the  mortar  fleet,  on  the  city  and  batteries ;  and  each  day  the  gunboats 
below  shelled  the  woods  and  the  lower  batteries.     Two  of  the  field- 


;l?9 

pieces  of  my  command  were  turned  over  to  Major  Genial  M.  L, 
Smith,  to  be  placed  in  the  rear  defence. 

June  9th  and  10th. — The  fire  from  the  mortar  fleet  continued  at 
irregular  intervals.  The  enemy  succeeded  in  placing  sharpshooters 
in  the  woods  on  the  Louisiana  shore,  opposite  the  city ;  but  they  were 
driven  off  by  a  few  well-directed  shots  from  one  of  the  light  field-pieces 
of  Major  Ogden's  command. 

On  the  morning  of  June  11th,  the  enemy  opened  fire  from  a  ten- 
inch  gun,  placed  in  position  at  a  point  almost  a  mile  above  the  bend 
of  the  river,  opposite  the  upper  batteries — mortars  and  gunboats  still 
keeping  up  a  line  of  fire. 

June  12th. — The  ten-inch  mortar  was  order  Ito  our  works  in  the  rear, 
and  was  placed  in  Major  General  Forney's  line.  It  was  manned  by  a 
detachment  of  men  from  company  G,  first  Louisiana  artillery,  under 
Lieutenant  C.  A.  Conrad. 

June  13th  to  loth. — A  thirty-pounder  Parrott  gun  opened  on  the 
upper  batteries,  from  the  same  position  as  the  ten-inch  gun  mentioned 
previously.  Several  of  the  monitors  dropped  down  the  river  some  five 
hundred  yards,  and  opened  a  heavy  fire  on  the  upper  batteries.  The 
two  Parrott  guns  opened  again  on  Captain  Capers,  but  were  silenced, 
after  five  shots. 

June  16th. — Having  opened  fire  on  Captain  Lynch's  battery,  (up- 
per batteries,)  from  a  new  \V^ork  between  Edwards'  negro  quarters  and. 
the  river,  doing  considerable  damage  to  the  parapets,  traverses,  &c.,. 
but  not  injuring  any  of  the  men  or  guns. 

June  1 7th,  18th,  and  19th. — Mortars  still  keeping  up  an  irregular 
fire.  The  guns  on  the  Louisiana  shore  fired  very  rapidly  in  the  morn- 
ing and  evening.  Our  batteries  replied  slowly.  The  Parrott  battery 
opened  on  Captain  Capers,  but  never  fired  after  our  guns  opened. 
Since  the  surrender  it  has  been  ascertained  that  these  two  guns  were 
totally  disabled  by  Captain  Capers'  fire. 

June  20th. — About  three,  A.  M.,  the  enemy  opened  a  heavy  fire 
from  both  front  and  rear  upon  the  city  and  batteries.  Firing  ceased 
at  half-past  seven,  A.  M. 

June  21st. — Mortars  ceased  firing.  The  enemy  mounted  a  one 
hundred-pounder  Parrott  gun  on  the  Louisiana  shore,  under  the  bank 
of  the  river,  at  a  point  about  five  hundred  yards  above  the  mortar 
boats.  It  opened  upon  the  city  during  the  evening,  doing  a  great 
deal  of  damage.  Captain  Bond,  in  the  lower  batteries,  opened  fire 
with  his  eleven-inch  columbiad  and  thirty-two-pounder  rifled  gun,, 
when,  after  a  few  shots  the  enemy's  gun  ceased  firing. 

June  22d  to  27th. — Firing  from  the  guns  on  the  Louisiana  shore 
was  kept  up  on  the  city  and  batteries  with  great  vigor.  Our  guna 
replied  slowly  and  with  deliberation,  but  in  consequence  of  the  timber 
on  the  Louisiana  shore,  affording  ample  means  of  masking  batteries^ 
it  was  very  diflScult  to  arriw^t  any  satisfactory  result.  On  the  23th^ 
the  mortars  resumed  their  wR  upon  the  city,  and  on  the  same  day  a 
number  of  the  enemy's  sharpshooters  opened  upon  the  city  from  the 
brush  wood  on  the  Louisiana  shore. 

June  28th. — Firing  still  kept  up.     The   six-inch    Brooke  gun,  in 


180 

the  upperbatteries,  burst  one  of  the  bands,  and  also  at  the  breach. 
At  four,  P.  M.,  the  one  hundred-pounder  Pi.rrott  gun  and  two  mor- 
tars opened  upon  the  lower  batteries. 

June  29th  and  30th. — Heavy  firing  all  along  the  river  front.  The 
gunboats  shelled  the  woods  around  Captain  Capers'  battery.  The 
mortar  was  brought  from  the  rear  and  remounted  in  its  old  position 
on  the  redoubt  on  the  extreme  of  my  line.  It  was  successfully  used 
in  driving  off  sharpshooters  from  that  point.  In  addition  to  the  other 
guns  on  the  Louisiana  shore,  the  enemy  opened  two  small  Parrott 
guns  close  to  the  bank,  in  front  of  the  city.  Their  fire  was  very  slow 
and  at  irregular  intervals, 

July  1st. — The  enemy  opened  fire  on  the  mortar  redoubt  from  his 
lines.  Our  works  were  somewhat  damaged  by  it.  The  mortar  replied 
and  almost  immediately  afterwards  the  enemy's  fire  ceased 

July  2d  and  3d. — Heavy  firing  from  all  points.  At  four,  P.  M,, 
on  the  3d,  I  opened  fire  all  along  my  line,  and  at  five,  P.  M,,  the  last 
gun  was  fired  by  the  river  batteries  in  defence  of  Vicksburg. 

July  4th,   1S63, — The  city  capitulated. 

During  the  siege,  I  am  happy  to  say  that  the  officers  and  men 
under  my  command  discharged  their  duty  faithfully  and  with  alacrity. 
Owing  to  the  weakness  of  the  infantry  force,  they  were  cdled  upon 
to  perform  other  duties  than  those  of  working  their  guns.  They 
formed  a  portion  of  the  city  guard,  discharged  the  duties  of  firemen 
in  case  of  fire,  policed  the  river,  &c.,  and  the  relief  were  almost 
nightly  under  under  arms  as  infantry  in  the  trenches. 

I  have  not  yet  received  the  surgeon's  report  of  our  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded.  It  will  probably  not  amount  to  more  than  thirty.  Among  the 
killed  was  Major  H.  W.  Hoadley,  first  Tennessee  heavy  artillery,  who 
commanded  the  upper  water  battery.  This  battery  was  exposed  con- 
stantly to  an  unceasing  fire  of  mortar,  Parrotts,  and  sharpshooters. 
The  gallant  major  was  always  at  his  post  and  fell  with  his  face  to  the 
foe,  struck  on  the  breast  by  a  fragment  of  shell.  The  officers  who  most 
distinguished  themselves  by  their  gallantry  and  unceasing  vigilance, 
were  :  Colonel  Jackson,  first  Tennessee  artillery,  who,  with  his  dis- 
tinguished regiment,  bore  the  brunt  of  the  labors  and  dangers  of  the 
eiege,  and  was  always  ready,  day  or  night,  for  any  duty  to  which  he 
might  be  called,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Sterling,  Captains  Lynch 
and  Johnson,  of  the  same  regiment;  Major  T.  N.  Ogden,  eighth  Lou- 
isiana battalion  artillery,  and  Captains  J.  N,  Crory  and  Grandpie,  of 
the  same  battalion  ;  Captains  W.  C.  Capers,  R,  C.  Bond,  and  R.  J. 
Bruce;  Lieutenants  R.  Agnue  and  E,  D.  Woodlief,  and  C.  A.  Conrad, 
first  Louisiana  artillery.  Captain  W.  C,  Capers,  by  his  strict  and 
indefatigable  attention  to  his  duties,  and  gallant  bearing,  won  my 
admiration.  Lieutenant  C.  A.  Conrad,  in  command  of  the  ten-inch 
mortar,  behaved  with  great  gallantry.  Lieutenant  W.  T.  Munfords, 
Adjutant  of  the  command ;  LieutenanjjMjT.  M.  Bridges,  Inspector 
General ;  Lieutenant  W.  Yerger,  Aid-dd^amp,  and  Lieutenant  W. 
D.  Flynn,  engineer  officer,  discharged  their  duties  to  my  satisfaction. 

It  is  but  an  act  of  simple  justice,  before  closing  this  report,  to  make 
known  the  good  conduct  of  Sergeant  Thomas  Lynch,  of  the  first  Lou- 


181 

isiana  artillery,  who  was  in   command   of  the  picket  boats,  chief  of 
the  river  police.     By  his  ceaseless  energy  and  his  close  attention  to 
his  very  arduous  duties,  he   made   himself  almost   invaluable,  and  I 
ferust  the  Government  will  reward  his  faithfulness. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

EDWARD  HIGGINS, 
^  Colonel  of  Artillery,  C.  S.  A., 

Late  in  command  of  River  Batteries,  Vicksburg. 


WLfff'  ^ 


KEPORT  OF  MAJOR  LUCKETT. 

Gainesville,  July  23,  1863. 
Major  R.  W.  Memminger, 

A.  A.  G.  DepH  Mississipp^and  East  Louisiana: 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor,  herein,  to  submit  my  report  ot  engineer 
operations  during  the  period  included  between  the  dates  May  2d  and 
May  18th,  1863,  comprehending  the  events  immediately  preceding 
the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  Having  returned  from  an  examination  of  the 
works  at  Grand  Gulf,  on  the  30th  of  April,  I  received  at  Jackson  an 
order  to  join  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  at  Vicksburg, 
which  I  did  on  the  2d  of  May. 

The  enemy  having  effected  a  landing  at  Bruinsburg,  Miss.,  and 
forced  the  evacuation  of  Grand  Gulf  on  the  30th  of  April,  it  became 
evident  that  immediate  steps  would  have  to  be  taken  to  meet  him  on 
all  available  approaches  to  the  city  of  Vicksburg.  The  several  ferries 
across  the  Big  Black  river  and  the  railroad  bridge  became  points  of 
great  strategic  importance.  I  accordingly  dispatched  an  engineer 
officer  to  each  of  these  points,  with  a  view  of  establishing  works  for 
resisting  a  passage  of  the  river  by  the  enemy.  On  examination,  it 
was  found  that  at  Baldwin's,  Hall's  and  Hankinson's  ferries,  the 
bluffs  abutted  against  the  river  on  the  east  bank,  leaving  wide  bot- 
toms on  the  west,  so  that  at  each  of  these  crossings  it  became  neces- 
sary to  instruct  a  tete-de-pont  or  to  relinquish  the  idea  of  taking  the 
river  as  a  line  of  defence.  These  tetes-de-pont  were  ordered,  but 
before  before  any  thing  could  be  done  the  army  of  Grand  Gulf,  under 
Major  General  Loring,  had  crossed  the  river  at  Hankinson's  ferry, 
leaving  the  east  bank  in  possession  of  the  enemy.  During  this  time,  I 
had  gone  myself,  by  the  direction  of  the  Lieutenant  General,  to  the 
railroad  bridge  and  Edward's  Depot,  to  establish  works  to  defend  the  rail- 
road and  preserve  this  very  important  line  of  communication.  Having 
examined  the  ground,  I  directed  Captain  Wintter,  commanding  corps 
of  sappers  and  miners,  to  take  charge  of  the  construction  of  a  tete- 
de-pont,  to  cross  railroad  bridge  and  telegraph  to  Captain  P.  Robin- 
son, of  the  engineers  at  Grenada,  to  report  to  me  at  Edward's  Depot 
with  all  his  assistant  engineers.  Captain  Robinson  reported  on  the 
9th,  and  leaving  him  in  charge  of  the  works  at  the  bridge,  and  direct- 
ing him  to  make  thorough  reconnoissances  of  the  country  in  the 
vicinity  of  Edward's  Depot  and  to  the  southward,  I  returned  to 
Vicksburg  with  Captain  Wintter,  and  put  him  in  charge  of  all  the 
works  around  the  city  to  make  necessary  repairs  and  put  every  thing 
in  good  condition. 

The  tete-de-pont  at  the  railroad  bridge  was  pushed  ahead  rapidly 
and  finished  by  the  15th,  and  at  the  same  time  a  bridge  was  made 
across  the  Big  Black  by  swinging  the  steamer  Dot  across  the  stream 
and  removing  ifcr  machinery.  On  the  12th,  the  army  was  ordered 
across  the  Big  Black  to  Edward's  Depot,  and  I  went  to  the  latter 


183 

place  f^  conduct  the  division  commanders  to  the  positions  assigned  to 
them  by  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding.  On  the  15th,  orders 
were  received  to  march  upon  the  enemy,  and  I  took  with  me,  in  accom- 
panying the  Lieutenant  General,  the  following  assistant  engineers, 
Tiz  :  Second  Lieutenant  George  Donnallen,  engineers  ;  Captain  Jamee 
Cooper  and  Sergeant  S.  McD.  Vernon,  acting  assistant  engineers; 
Captain  Robinson  and  three  assistants  in  charge  of  the  works  at  the 
bridge.  No  engineer  operations  were  found  necessary  on  the  march, 
and  the  army  reached  its  destination  on  the  Raymond  road  about  nml- 
night  on  the  15th,  the  head  of  the  column  being  halted  beyond  Mrs. 
Elliston's  house,  some  six  miles  from  Edward's  Depot. 

THE  BATTLE  AT  BAKER's  CREEK. 

At  six  thirty,  A.  M.,  on  the  IGth,  a  courier  from  General  John- 
ston arrived,  bringing  information  to  the  Lieutenant  General  com- 
manding which  made  a  counter-march  necessary.  I  was  directed  by 
the  Lieutenant  General  to  inform  the  division  commanders  that  such 
a  move  would  be  made  immediately,  and  communicated  his  instruc- 
tions to  Major  General  Stevenson  and  Brigadier  General  Brown. 

I  returned  to  headquarters  at  Mrs.  Elliston's  about  seven  thirty, 
and  heard,  as  I  reached  the  house,  the  enemy's  artillery  open  on  the 
head  of  our  column  on  the  Raymond  road.  I  was  then  directed  by 
the  Lieutenant  General  to  inform  Major  General*  Stevenson  that  ;t 
would  be  necessary  to  form  his  division  in  line-of-battle  on  the  cross 
road  from  the  Clinton  to  the  Raymond  road,  with  his  left  flank  cover- 
ing the  former.  Having  communicated  these  instructions,  I  sent  Ser- 
geant Vernon  to  get  a  pioneer  companj'  from  General  Cummings'  bri- 
gade, and  directed  him  to  throw  a  bridge,  as  soon  as  possible,  across 
Baker's  Creek,  on  the  main  Raymond  road,  where  the  county  bridge 
had  been  washed  away.  This  bridge  was  constructed  and  the  banks  of 
the  creek  cut  down  leading  to  it,  by  two  P.  M.  From  eight  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  until  eleven,  I  was  engaged  with  my  assistants  in  communiciv- 
ting  orders  from  the  Lieutenant  General  commanding  in  regard  to  the 
formation  of  the  line-of  battle,  which  was  formed  on  a  commanding 
ridge,  and  so  disposed  as  to  cover  all  approaches  from  the  front. 
About  noon  the  battle  opened  with  considerable  vigor  on  the  left,  and 
the  enemy  making  an  attempt  to  turn  our  left  flank,  rendered  a  cor- 
responding movement  necessary  on  our  part.  This  movement  opened 
a  considerable  gap  between  the  division  of  General  Stevenson  aud 
General  Bowen,  aud  I  carried  an  order  from  the  Lieutenant  General 
to  General  Bowen  to  keep  the  interval  closed  between  himself  and 
General  Stevenson,  adW  to  General  Loring  to  the  same  effect  in  refer- 
ence to  his  and  General  Bowen's  divisions.  Between  this  and  three 
P.  M.,  I  carried  an  order  to  General  Loring  to  hold  his  whole  division 
in  readiness  to  move  to  the  left,  and  to  move  his  left  brigade,  (GenenU 
Buford's,)  at  once  to  join  upon  the  right  of  General  Bowen's  com- 
mand. Between  four  and  five  o'clock  the  enemy  had  succeeded,  by 
his  vastly  superior  numbers,  in  completely  turning  our  left,  and  our 
troops  began  to  break  and  fall  back  in   considerable  disorder  towards 


184 

the  main  Raymond  road,  I  was  then  directed  by  the  Lieutenatit  Gen- 
eral to  inform  General  Tilghman  that  the  position  he  occupied  was 
one  of  vast  importance  in  securing  our  retreat,  and  that  he  must  hold 
it  at  all  hazards.  I  found  General  Tilghman  had  moved  his  brigade, 
8.nd  was  marching  along  a  by-road  towards  our  left.  On  receiving 
the  above  order  he  halted  his  command,  and,  facing  about,  returned 
to  the  Raymond  road  and  took  a  position  on  a  ridge  some  six  hundred 
yards  in  rear  of  his  first,  and  just  in  front  of  the  by-road  above  men- 
tioned, along  which  our  army  finally  retreated.  In  connection  with 
this  day's  operation,  1  beg  leave  to  mention,  especially,  Captain  James 
Cooper,  one  of  my  assistants,  who  displayed  great  coolness,  gallantry 
and  judgment  in  communicating  instructions,  and  Sergeant  Vernon 
for  his  energy  and  skill  in  constructing  the  bridge  across  Baker's  Creek 
above  mentioned. 

THE    BATTLE    OF    BIG    BLACK    BRIDGE. 

Our  army  having  fallen  back  to  the  entrenchments  covering  the 
railroad  and  boat  bridge,  the  lines  were  found  about  completed,  and 
were  manned  by  General  Vaughan's  brigade  and  part  of  Bowen's 
division.  The  enemy  opened  early  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  with 
artillery  at  long  range,  and  soon  came  up  with  their  infantry,  and  took 
possession  of  a  copse  of  wood  in  front  of  our  left.  I  repaired  to  the 
bridges  between  seven  and  eight  o'clock  to  examine  their  condition, 
and  seeing  signs  of  unsteadiness  among  our  troops,  I  sent  Lieutenant 
Donnallan.to  the  Lieutenant  General  for  instructions  in  regard  to  the 
destruction  of  the  bridges  should  the  enemy  succeed  in  forcing  our 
position.  Having  received  the  necessary  instructions,  I  made  pre- 
parations for  firing  the  railroad  bridge  by  piling  rails  and  loose  cotton 
at  intervals,  and  had  a  barrel  of  turpentine  prepared  on  the  boat 
bridge.  At  about  nine,  A.  M.,  our  troops  on  the  left  were  stampeded, 
and  leaving  the  trenches  came  pell-mell  towards  the  river.  I  stationed 
an  ofiicer  at  each  bridge,  and,  after  seeing  that  all  our  men  were  safely 
across,  I  gave  a  signal  to  apply  the  torch. 

In  a  few  moments  both  bridges  were  in  flames  and  were  quickly  and 
thoroughly  burned. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be. 

Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

SAM'L  H.  LUCKETT, 
Major  and  Chief  Engineer,  Deft  Miss,  and  E,  La. 

9 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  LUCKETT. 

Gainesville,  Ala.,  July  26,  1863. 

Major  R.  W.  Memminger,  A.  A.  G., 

Department  of  Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana  : 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  my  report  of  the  engineer  opera- 
tions during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg : 

Oar  army  fell  back  to  the  city  on  Sunday,  the  17th  of  May,  and 
were  put  in  tho  trenches,  in  the  following  order,  viz  :  Major  General 
Stevenson  occupied  the  line  included  between  the  railroad  and  the 
Warrenton  road,  on  the  south  ;  General  Forney  the  line  between  the 
railroad  and  the  grave-yard  road ;  and  General  Smith  the  line  from 
the  grave-yard  road  to  the  river  front,  on  the  north.  On  the  ISth,  I 
made  a  careful  examination  of  the  entire  line,  and  made  the  following 
disposition  of  the  engineer  officers  under  ray  command,  to  facilitate 
the  operations  of  strengthening  and  repairing  the  works:  Captain  P. 
Robinson,  engineer,  was  assigned  to  the  line  commanded  by  Major 
General  Stevenson,  and  had  under  him  as  assistants  the  following 
officers,  viz :  Captain  J.  J.  Conway,  twentieth  Mississippi,  detailed, 
assistant  engineer  ;  acting  lieutenant  A.  W.  Gloster,  assistant  engin- 
eer  ;  acting  Lieutenant  R.  R  Southard;  assistant  engineer ;  Captain 
James  Cowper,  commanding  fourteenth  Mississippi,  acting  assistant 
engineer  ;  W.  B.  H.  Saunders,  office  assistant.  Captain  D,  Wintter, 
commanding  company  of  sappers  and  miners,  was  assigned  to  the  line 
commanded  by  Major  Generals  Forney  and  Smith,  and  had  under 
him,  as  assistants,  the  following  officers,  viz  :  First  Lieutenant  E. 
McMahon,  company  of  sappers  and  miners  ;  second  Lieutenant  F. 
Galvoly,  company  of  sappers  and  miners;  Captain  James  Hogan, 
acting  assistant  engineer;  acting  Lieutenant  S.  McD.  Vernon,  as- 
sistant engineer  ;  acting  Lieutenant  Blessing.  Lieutenant  William 
0.  Flynn,  of  Captain  Wintter's  company,  was  ordered  to  report  for 
engineer  duty  to  Colonel  E.  Higgins,  commanding  the  heavy  artillery. 

This  arrangement  gave  to  each  brigade  one  immediate  assistant, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  report  directly  to  the  brigade  commander,  and 
each  division  an  engineer,  to  take  general  control.  Lieutenant  Geo. 
Donallan,  engineer  P.  A.  C.  S.,  I  kept  in  my  office  to  take  charge  of 
the  procuring  and  distribution  of  materials.  Wm.  Ginder  was  em- 
ployed as  draughtsman,  and  Wm.  Brown  as  clerk. 

The  working  force  under  ray  control  was  as  follows  :  Twenty-six 
sappers  and  miners,  of  Captain  Wintter's  company  ;  eight  detailed 
mechanics  and  firemen  ;  four  overseers  for  negroes ;  seventy-two 
negroes  hired,  twenty  being  sick  ;  three  four  mule  teams  ;  twenty- 
five  yoke  of  oxen. 

An  accurate  return  of  the  entrenching  tools  was  never  obtained, 
from  the  fact  that  they  were  always  employed  and  so  much  scattered. 
Their  number,  however,  was  not  far  from  five  hundred,  of  all  kinds. 
The  work  on  the  river  was  generally  done  by  fatigue  parties,  detailed 
from  each  comqiand  to  work  within  the  limits  of  its  own  lines.     The 


186 

line  of  defence  around  the  city  of  Vicksburg  coneisted,  ^s  shown  in 
the  enclosed  maps,  of  a  system  of  detached  works  (redans,  lunettes, 
and  redoubts,)  on  the  prominent  and  commanding  points,  with  the 
usual  profile  of  raised  field  works,  connected,  in  most  cases,  by  rifle 
pits.^  These  works,  having  been  made  during  the  fall  and  winter  of 
last  year,  were  considerably  weakened  by  washing,  and  needed 
strenthening  and  repairing.  Fatigue  parties  were  immediately  set  to 
work  making  these  repairs  and  completing  the  connection  of  rifle  pits 
from  work  to  work.  On  the  night  of  the  1 7th  of  May  and  morning 
of  the  18th,  all  the  field  guns,  Parrott  guns,  and  siege  pieces  at  our 
disposal,  were  put  in  position  on  the  line,  and  platforms  and  embra- 
sures prepared  for  them.  Between  the  18th  and  22d,  the  enemy  suc- 
ceeded in  establishing  their  line  of  circumvallation,  at  about  the  dis- 
tance of  eight  hundred  yards,  extending  from  our  extreme  left  to  the 
front  of  the  square  redoubt,  (fort  Garrett,)  on  the  right  of  Brigadier 
General  Lee's  line.  The  fire  of  their  artillery  and  sharpshooters  soon 
became  quite  annoying,  and  showed  the  necessity  of  erecting  numer- 
ous traverses,  to  prevent  enfilading  fire,  and  the  importance  of  having 
covered  approaches  from  the  rear.  All  of  these  improvements  were 
made  as  rapidly  as  possible  by  the  engineer,  with  fatigue  parties 
working  at  night.  On  the  22d,  the  enemy's  fire  was  very  heavy  along 
the  whole  line,  and  a  determined  assault  was  made  on  the  grave-yard, 
Jackson,  and  Baldwin  ferry  roads,  and  along  the  whole  of  General 
Lee's  front,  on  the  right  of  the  railroad.  A  breach  was  made  in  the 
redoubt  near  the  railroad,  (fort  Pettus,)  and  many  other  of  the  raised 
works  were  considerably  battered.  All  damages  were  repaired,  how- 
ever, at  night,  and  the  morning  of  the  23d  found  our  works  in  as  good 
condition  as  at  the  beginning  of  the  enemy's  operations. 

The  enemy,  being  apparently  satisfied  with  this  attempt  at  carry- 
ing our  works  by  assault,  now  commenced  their  regular  approaches, 
and  soon  had  possession  of  a  line  of  hills  on  the  main  roads,  not  ex- 
ceeding three  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  our  salient  points.  These 
hills  they  covered  with  heavy  batteries,  and  connected  as  rapidly  as 
possible  with  the  second  parallel.  On  the  24th,  some  of  the  enemy's 
sappers  crept  up  a  ravine  to  within  forty  yards  of  the  work  on  the 
Jackson  road,  and  started  a  sap,  apparently  with  the  intention  of 
mining.  When  they  had  reached  within  tw-enty  paces  of  our  work, 
they  were  dislodged  by  hand-grenades,  and  relinquished  their  attempt 
for  some  time.  On  the  25th,  the  enemy  appeared  in  force  on  the 
Warrenton  road,  and  commenced  establishing  batteries  in  Gett's  field, 
at  a  distance  of  some  six  hundred  yards  from  our  advanced  redoubt, 
and  they  also  pushed  their  first  parallel  on  towards  our  right,  and 
crossed  the  Hall's  ferry  road  about  one  thousand  yards  from  the  ad- 
vanced redoubt  on  this  road.  Their  line  of  circumvallation  was  by 
this  completed,  and  remained  unbroken  thenceforward.  To  prevent 
any  approach  of  the  enemy  up  the  river  flat,  I  attempted  to  construct 
an  abattis  from  the  hills  to  the  river,  and  sent  out  a  working  party, 
under  Lieutenant  Donallan,  and  Mr.  Ginder,  for  that  purpose.  The 
guard  for  the  working  party  was  driven  in,  after  a  skirmish  and  the 
capure  of  one  hundred  of  the  enemy.     The  work  was  not  accomplished. 


. ._  A 


187 

On  this  day  pits  weie  started  along  the  river  front  to  connect  the 
line  of  land  defence  with  the  heavy  batteries.  Along  the  line  the  en- 
gineers were  engaged  in  general  repairs,  strengthening  the  parapets, 
extending  the  rifle  pits,  placing  obstructions  in  front  of  the  exposed 
points,  consisting  of  abattis,  palasades,  ditches  and  entanglements  of 
and  pick  est  telegraph-wires  and  sand-bags  ;  loop-holes  were  also  made 
along  the  whole  line  to  protect  our  sharpshooters.  These  sand-bags 
were  made  from  tent  flies  and  old  tents,  turned  over  to  me  by  the 
quartermaster's  department ;  and  from  the  same  source  I  obtained  a 
supply  of  material  during  the  whole  seige.  A  twenty-two-pounder 
was  moved  from  the  river  front  and  mounted  on  the  left  of  General 
Smith's  line  ;  a  new  battery  for  three  guns  started  in  rear  of  General 
Lee's,  and  a  new  battery  for  two  guns  built  on  the  left  of  General 
Moore's. 

On  the  night  of  the  26th,  the  usual  work  of  repairs  and  improve- 
ments went  on.  The  rifle  pits  on  the  river  front  were  pushed  ahead  ; 
the  battery,  in  rear  of  General  Lee,  was  flnnished,  and  a  three- 
pounder  Parrott  put  in  position.  On  this  night,  the  enemy,  for  the 
first  time,  fired  on  our  working  parties,  and  wounded  a  lieutenant 
commanding  a  fatigue  party. 

On  the  27th  the  enemy  attacked  our  river  front  with  their  gunboats, 
without,  however,  doing  any  serious  damage.  They  were  driven  oflf, 
and  the  Cincinnati  sunk  by  the  upper  battery.  This  battery  was  pro- 
tected, by  traverses,  from  an  enfilade  fire  from  the  enemy's  sharp- 
shooters, on  the  hills  across  Mint  Spring  bayou. 

On  the  28th  the  artillery  fire  of  the  enemy  was  unusually  severe, 
and  several  of  our  works  were  considerably  damaged,  and  especially 
the  works  on  General  Lee's  front,  and  on  the  grave-yard  and  Jack- 
son road.  All  damages  were  repaired  at  night,  and  a  new  battery 
made  in  rear  of  General  Moore's  line,  en  the  right  of  the  Baldwin's 
ferry  road. 

On  the  29th  the  usual  repairs  and  improvements  continued  along 
the  whole  line ;  a  new  battery  made  in  rear  of  the  line  left  of  Hall's 
lerry  road ;  the  new  battery  in  rear  of  General  Lee  improved,  and 
"  whistling  Dick,"  an  eighteen-pounder  rifle  piece,  put  in  position; 
and  a  new  battery  started  in  rear  of  General  Moore's  centre  ;  but  the 
working  party  were  driven  off  by  the  enemy's  sharpshooters,  and  the 
work  stopped. 

On  the  30th  but  little  work  was  done  on  the  line  under  Captain 
Robinson's  charge,  excepting  along  General  Lee's  front;  and  during 
the  whcle  siegp  cur  works,  from  Fort  Garrett  to  the  right,  were  but 
little  injured,  the  enemy  being  kept  at  a  considerable  distance  by  a 
line  cf  pickets,  kept  in  protected  places  along  the  ridge  in  front  of 
our  main  line,  excepting  on  the  Hall's  ferry  road.  Captain  Wintter 
and  his  assistants  were  kept  constantly  busy  putting  obstructions  in 
the  Yazoo  valley  and  other  roads,  repairing  the  embrasures  of  bat- 
teries, and  strengthening  the  parapets,  which  had  began  to  show  the 
effects  of  the  enemy's  continual  battering  The  new  battery,  in  rear 
of  General  Moore's  centre,  was  commenced  by  running  a  covered  ap- 
proach to  the  position  selected.     On  this  day  I  also  started  a  number 


188 

of  excavations  on  the  Baldwin's  ferry  road,  in  a  deep  cut,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  scattering  our  ammunition,  which  was  much  exposed  to  the 
enemy's  fire  at  the  depot  magazine.  These  excavations  were  put 
under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Ginder,  with  a  working  force  of  twenty-five 
negroes  from  the  jail-gang,  and  were  finished  in  about  a  week. 

On  the  3 1  st  works  of  repair  continued  along  the  whole  line.  The  new 
works  of  repair  continued,  and  a  breach  in  the  redan  on  the  left  of  J  ack- 
son's  road  filled  up,  and  parapets  repaired  with  sand-bags.  From  June 
Ist  to  the  4th,  there  was  no  variation  in  the  engineer  operations.  By 
the  4th  the  enemy  had  succeed  in  establishing  a  thick  line  of  parral- 
lels,not  exceeding  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  our  salient  works, 
and  then  commenced  several  double  saps  against  the  following  Avorks, 
viz:  The  Jackson  redan,  on  "  grave-yard "  road  ;  the  third  Louis- 
iana redan,  on  left  of  Jackson's  road ;  and  the  lunette,  in  right  of 
Baldwin's  ferry  road.  I  had  some  thundering  barrels  and  loaded 
shells  prepared,  to  be  placed  in  these  and  all  other  exposed  works,  to 
be  used  in  case  of  an  assault.  The  stockade  redan  and  the  stockade 
in  its  left,  beginning  to  sufler  a  good  deal  from  the  enemy's  artillery, 
a  new  line  of  rifle  pits  was  started  in  front  of  the  stockade,  and 
the  ditch  of  the  redan  was  prepared  for  riflemen  to  give  a  double 
line  at  this  point.  The  enemy  continued  their  saps  against  this  and 
that  of  the  third  Louisiana  without  much  interruption,  until  the  night 
of  the  8th,  when  their  sap-roller  was  burnt,  by  firing  pieces  of  port 
fire  and  cotton  balls,  steeped  in  turpentine,  into  it  from  muskets. 
Their  sappers  were  thus  exposed,  and  forced  to  retire  and  com- 
mence their  operations  with  another  roller,  some  distance  back.  In 
spite  of  all  our  attempts  to  stop  them,  the  enemy  steadily  approached 
with  their  saps,  until  the  night  of  the  13th,  when  they  had  reached 
within  sixty  feet  of  the  stockade  redan,  and  within  forty  feet  of  the 
third  Louisiana,  and  showed  very  evidently  their  intention  to  attack 
these  salients  by  mining.  I  accordingly  ordered  counter-mines  to 
be  started  from  the  ditch  of  the  former  to  oppose  their  progress.  The 
latter  works  having  no'  ditch,  other  arrangements  had  to  be  made. 
This  work  had  also  become  considerably  batterred  by  this  time,  and 
the  old  parapets  were  nearly  gone.  A  new  one  was  accordingly  made 
a  few  feet,  in  rear  of  the  first,  and  the  main  body  of  the  work 
was  still  preserved  entire,  and  our  men  protected  from  the  enemy's 
fire. 

On  the  night  of  the  13th,  a  ten-inch  mortar  was  placed  in  position 
in  rear  of  General  Moore's  centre,  and  a  twenty-pound  Parrott  in  rear 
of  General  Green's  left. 

On  the  night  of  the  14th,  a  new  series  of  rifle  pits  were  began, 
running  along  a  couple  of  spurs  in  the  rear,  so  as  to  envelope  the 
stockade  and  its  redan,  as  a  precaution  against  the  contingency  of  the 
enemy's  carrying  the  point  by  assault,  or  rendering  it  untenable  by 
his  mining  operations. 

On  the  15th,  I  discovered  that  the  saps  against  the  lunette,  on  the 
right  of  the  Baldwin  ferry  road,  were  making  rapid  progress,  and  also 
the  one  against  the  railroad  redoubt.  Counterminers  were  immediately 
ordered,  and  commenced  from   the  ditches  of  these  works.     From  this 


189 

time,  until  the  end  of  the  siege,  the  main  efforts  of  the  enemy  were 
directed  against  these  salient  works,  viz  :  The  stockade  redan ;  the 
third  Louisiana  redan  ;  the  lunette  on  the  Baldwin  ferry  road  ;  and 
the  railroad  redoubt ;  and  Fort  Garret,  on  General  Lee's  right ;  and 
later,  against  the  work  on  the  Hall's  ferry  road;  against  all  of  which, 
they  ran  regular  double  saps  ;  and  our  principal  operations  consisted  in 
endeavors  to  impede  their  progress,  and  in  preparations  to  meet  them, 
when  practicable,  by  countermining.  Retrenchments  were  also  made 
in  rear  of  all  the  threatened  points,  to  provide  against  the  possibility 
of  the  enemy's  being  successful  in  their  attempt.  The  rest  of  the 
line,  other  than  the  works  mentioned  above,  was  but  little  damaged, 
and  was  easily  kept  in  repair  by  fatigue  parties  working  at  night. 
The  third  Louisiana  redan,  being  in  a  very  narrow  ridge,  had  no  ex- 
terior ditch,  and  I  found  it  impossible  to  get  in  its  front,  to  start 
countermines,  without  exposing  our  sappers  to  a  terrible  fire  from  the 
enemy's  sharpshooters  and  batteries,  not  more  than  fifty  yards  dis- 
tant. A  shaft  was  accordingly  started  from  the  inside  of  the  work, 
but,  before  it  was  completed,  the  enemy  had  succeeded  it  getting 
under  the  parapet,  and  had  prepared  their  tnine  under  the  salient. 
This  mine  was  exploded  on  the  25th  instant,  but  did  no  material  dam- 
age, as  a  parapet  had  been  made  to  meet  such  an  event,  some  fifteen 
feet  back  of  the  salient.  Five  or  six  men,  engaged  in  making  a 
shaft,  were  buried  by  this  explosion.  An  attempt  was  made  to  assault 
the  work,  immediately  after  explosion,  but  our  men,  having  good 
cover  behind  the  new  parapet,  repulsed  the  assailants  with  consider- 
able slaughter. 

On  the  night  of  the  same  day,  two  of  our  mines,  in  front  of  the 
stockade  redan  were  exploded  and  completely  des  royed.  The  enemy's 
Bap  roller  filled  up  their  saps,  and  two  parallels  they  had  started  to 
envelop  the  redan.  Our  mines  were  about  thirty-five  feet  from  the 
counter  saps  of  the  redan,  and  the  enemy's  sap  roller  was  several 
paces  within  this  distance,  so  that  they  received  the  full  effect  of  our 
explosion.  The  charge  in  one  mine  was  forty-five  pounds,  in  the 
other  eighty,  with  the  chambers  eight  feet  under  ground.  On  this 
same  night,  a  nine-inch  Dahlgren  gun  was  put  in  position  in  rear  of 
General  Moore's  centre,  to  counterbatter  the  enemy's  heavy  works, 
on  the  Jackson  road,  and  the  ten-inch  mortar  was  removed  to  the 
Warrenton  road. 

On  the  28th,  we  sprang  another  mine  in  front  of  the  lunette  on 
the  Baldwin's  ferry  road,  but,  unfortunately,  the  explosion  was  pre- 
mature, and  the  enemy's  sap  was  hardly  near  enough  to  be  much 
injured.  The  sap  roller  was,  however,  burned,  at  night,  by  fire  balls, 
tteir  sappers  driven  away,  and  their  progress  materially  interfered 
with.  A  now  mine  was  immediately  sprung,  and  was  soon  ready  for 
explosion. 

On  the  30th,  the  enemy  succeeded  again  in  getting  under  the  third 
Louisiana  redan,  and  had  covered  the  entrance  to  their  gallery  with  a 
timber  shelter  to  protect  their  sappers  from  our  hand-grenades.  To 
destroy  this,  I  had  a  barrel,  containing  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
pounds  of  powder,  rolled  over  the  parapet  and  exploded  with  a  time- 


190 

fuse  of  fifteen  seconds.  The  effect  of  the  explosion  was  very  severe, 
and  fragments  of  sap  rollers,  gabions  and  pieces  of  timber  vrere 
thrown  into  the  air,  and  I  think  some  of  the  enemy's  sappers 
must  have  been  burnt  and  smothered.  They  continued  their  opera- 
tions and  established  another  mine  on  the  1st  of  July,  exploded  J  it 
about  half  past  one,  P.  M.  The  charge  must  have  enormous,  as  the 
crater  made  was  at  least  twenty  feet  deep,  thirty  feet  across  in  one 
direction  and  fifty  in  another.  The  earth  upheaved  was  thrown  many 
vards  around,  but  little  of  it  falling  back  into  the  crater.  I  learned 
from  the  enemy's  engineers,  that  they  had  one  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  in  this  mine.  The  original  faces  of  the  redan  were  almost 
completely  destroyed,  the  explosive  effect  extended  to  a  parapet  I  had 
made  across  the  gorge  of  the  work,  making  in  it  almost  a  practicable 
breach  for  an  assault.  No  assault  was  attempted  however,  and  I  went 
to  work  immediately  to  repair  damages  as  well  as  possible.  Lieutenant 
Blessing,  who  had  been  in  charge  of  this  work,  was  wounded  during 
the  day,  and  I  directed  Lieutenant  Flynn  to  report  to  Captain  Wintter 
to  take  his  place.  In  addition  to  Lieutenant  Blessing,  wounded  on 
this  day,  private  Owens  and  seven  negroes,  engaged  in  sinking  a  shaft, 
were  killed  by  the  enemy's  explosion.  Captain  Wintter,  with  Lieu- 
tenant Flynn  and  Sergeants  Bryan  and  McGinniss,  and  private  St. 
Vigne,  of  Captain  Wintter's  company,  worked  during  the  afternoon  and 
night  succeeding  the  explosion  with  an  energy,  zeal  and  coolness, 
(under  a  most  terrific  fire,)  worthy  of  all  praise,  and  by  daylight  the 
next  morning,  the  breach  was  filled  and  the  redan  still  tenable.  To 
give  some  idea  of  the  diflficulties  attending  this  work,  I  will  state  that 
the  enemy  had  two  nine-inch  Dahlgren  guns,  several  heavy  Parrotta 
and  field  pieces,  and  a  Cochoon  mortar  playing  on  this  redan,  in  addi- 
tion to  as  heavy  a  fire  of  musketry  as  I  ever  witnessed  to  be  so  long 
continued.  In  the  course  of  one  hour,  that  I  remained  in  the  work, 
at  least  a  dozen  of  the  garrison  were  killed  or  wounded  by  the  mortar 
alone.  On  the  same  night,  one  of  the  enemy's  sap  rollers,  on  the 
right  of  the  Jackson  road,  was  burned,  and  their  sappers  driven  off 
by  hand-grenades.  On  the  night  of  the  2d,  Captain  Robinson 
exploded  one  of  his  mines  in  front  of  the  railroad  redoubt,  but  with 
little  effect,  the  explosion  being  premature.  On  this  night  we  had 
prepared  the  following  mines,  viz :  One  in  front  of  work  on  Hall's 
ferry  road,  two  in  front  of  Fort  Garrett,  two  on  Baldwin's  ferry  road, 
one  on  right  of  Jackson  road,  two  in  front  of  small  redan  on  General 
Green's  left,  and  three  on  General  Shoupe's  line,  all  of  which  would 
have  been  ready  for  the  enemy  by  the  time  he  came  within  the  limit 
of  their  effects.  These  mines  contained  from  one  hundred  to  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-five  pounds,  and  were  at  an  average  depth  of  between 
six  and  nine  feet  under  the  surface  of  the  earth.  The  flag  of  truce, 
however,  on  the  3d,  stopped  all  operations  on  both  sides,  and  the 
eflficiency  of  our  preparations  were  not  tested. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  casualties  among  the  engineers  and  my 
working  force : 

Wounded  severely,  first  Lieutenant  E.  McMahon,  company  sappers 


t91 

and  miners;  Acting  Lieutenant  Blessing,  assistant  engineer;  Wm. 
B.  Goeble,  clerk  to  Captain  Wintter. 

Killed — Sergeant  Cole,  company  sappers  and  miners  ;  private  J. 
Hardy  and  private  Owen.     Eight  negroes  wounded;  nine  killed. 

In  concluding  this  report,  I  have  the  honor  to  call  the  attention  of 
the  Lieutenant  General,  commanding,  that  no  one  was  called  upon  to 
perform  more  arduous  and  continuous  duty  than  the  engineer  officers 
and  their  assistants,  and  none  more  steadily  and  cheerfully  endured 
all  that  the  duty  imposed  upon  them,  or  more  faithfully  discharged 
every  obligation  demanded  by  the  difficulties  of  their  situation. 
Captain  D.  Wintter  deserves  especial  mention.  For  fifteen  months 
he  hid  been  at  work  on  the  fortifications  in  and  around  Vicksburg  ; 
always  active,  intelligent,  and  full  of  energy,  as  the  result  of  his 
labors  fully  testify.  I  most  respectfully  urge  that  he  be  recommended 
to  the  War  Department  as  a  deserving  candidate  for  promotion.  The 
Lieutenants  of  his  company,  E.  McMahon  and  T.  Galooby  and  Wm. 
0.  Flynn,  who  have  been  his  assistants,  deserve  great  credit  for  the 
services  they  have  performed.  Captain  Robinson  and  his  as^:istant8, 
Captain  J.  J.  Conway,  Captain  James  Croper,  acting  Lieutenants  A. 
W.  Gloster  and  Southard,  during  the  whole  siege,  were  always  at 
their  posts,  and  for  forty-eight  days  and  nights,  were  seldom  off  duty 
more  than  six  hours  out  of  twenty-four.  Captain  James  Hogan  and 
acting  Lieutenant  S.  W.  McD.  Vernon,  were  equally  as  tireless  and 
full  of  zeal  ;  acting  Lieutenant  Blessing  was  wounded  while  examin- 
ing the  enemy's  approaches,  and  was  continually  hazarding  his  life,  in 
attempting  to  discover  the  enemy's  intentions,  and  was  ever  active 
in  his  endeavors  to  thwart  them.  I  would  also  especially  mention 
private  St.  Vigne,  of  Captain  Winter's  company,  who  was  more  than 
once  distinguished  for  gallantry,  and,  in  addition  to  performing  his 
duties  as  sapper  and  miner,  served  as  an  artillerist  and  sharpshooter, 
until  his  ceaseless  exertions  had  made  him  sick.  My  office  assistants, 
Lieutenant  George  Donallan,  Mr.  Ginders  and  Mr.  Brower,  all  deserve 
mention  for  their  strict  performance  of  every  duty  imposed  upon 
them.  Mr.  Brower  asked  (and  received)  my  permission  to  take  every 
spare  opportunity  to  go  to  the  trenches,  and  did  fine  execution  as  a 
sharpshooter. 

The  following  officers  deserve  particular  notice,  and,  I  hope,  will 
be  rewarded  for  their  meritorious  conduct  and  the  valuable  services 
they  have  performed : 

Captain  D.  Wintter,  commanding  company  sappers  and  minors  ; 
First  Lieutenant  E.  McMahon,  Second  Lieutenant  Wm.  0.  Flynn, 
Captain  Jas.  Cooper,  formerly  commanding  fourteenth  Mississippi  ; 
acting  Second  Lieutenant  Blessing,  employed  as  assistant  engineer, 
and  private  St.  Vignes,  of  Captain  Winiter's  company;  George  C. 
Brower,  Wirt  Adams's  cavalry,  clerk. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Major, 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  H.  LUCKETT, 
Major  and  C/iief  Engineer, 
Department  Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana. 


192 


P    S    I  also  beg  leave  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Lieutenant 
r.enerai  commanding,  particularly  to  the  services  of  Colonel  DH 
Ha/et     acting  engiS^c^',  who,  on  the  night  of  May  17th,  sncceeded 
S  passing  thiough  the  enemy's  lines,  and  carried  safely  to  the  Engi- 
*      ill  my  most  importan*-  '— "^=  «"'^  r^nnpra 
Respectfully,  yours, 


in  passing  through  the  enemy's  lines,  ana  carricu  ba,i. 

neer  Buretu,  aU  my  mosUmportant  maps  and  papers.        g    ^    j^ 


REPORT  OF  MAJOR  MIMS. 


Office  of  Chief  Quartermaster, 
Department  Mississippi  and  East  Louisiana 
Jackson,  Miss.,  Feb,  5,  1863 


\ 


Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  D.  Waddy, 

A.  A.   G.,  Jackson  : 

Colonel:  I  have  the  honor  herewith  to  present  accompanying 
report  from  Captain  W.  M,  Gillespie,  post  and  depot  quartermaster, 
showing  quartermaster's  stores  now  on  hand  at  this  post.  From  an 
examination  of  the  requisitions  now  on  hand,  I  find  that  they  can 
be  two-thirds  supplied,  with  the  exception  of  tents,  socks  and  blankets. 
Major  Anderson,  quartermaster  at  Columbus,  informs  me  he  has  one 
hundred  tents  ready,  with  the  cxcojUion  of  the  rope,  and  has  on 
hand  material  for  the  making  of  two  thousand  suits  of  clothing. 

As  I  am  just  collecting  the  hides  taken  from  the  public  beeves,  and 
Messrs.  Knox  &  Co.,  of  the  Magnolia  works,  not  having  had  time  to 
complete  the  tanning  of  the  hides  received  by  therp,  I  have  not  been 
able  yet  to  commence  the  making  of  shoes  at  this  point,  as  I  contem- 
plated. In  a  little  while,  I  hope  to  be  able  to  commence  the  work  on 
a  large  ami,  I  trust,  profitable  scale  for  the  Government.  I  learn 
from  Captain  W.  M.  Gillespie,  acting  department  quartermaster,  that 
he  receives,  by  purchase,  from  diSerent  contractors  throughout  this 
department,  an  average  of  four  thousand  pairs  monthly. 

We  have  three  depots  for  the  procurement  of  supplies — Columbus, 
Major  W.  J.  Anderson,  quartermaster,  furnishes  about  seven  hundred 
suits  of  clothing  per  week.  For  the  present,  however,  we  are  employ- 
ing all  the  force  there  in  the  making  of  tents,  two  hundred  and  fifty 
tents  per  week  being  manufactured.  Enterprise,  Captain  G.  P.  Theo- 
bald, quartermaster,  furnishes  twenty-five  wagons  per  month,  four 
hundred  pairs  shoes,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  complete  suits  0/ 
clothing.  Jackson,  Captain  W.  M.  Gillespie,  post  and*  department 
quartermaster,  furnishes  one  thousand  suits  per  v^'eek,  manufactures 
forty  blankets  per  day.  The  most  of  the  purchasing  done  for  the 
department  is  made  through  these  depots.  It  should  be  mentioned 
that  Jackson  also  manufactures  about  twenty-five  tents  per  day.  They 
are  incomplete,  however,  for  the  want  of  rope.  Three  factories — the 
Jackson,  Woodville,  and  Choctaw — work  constantly  for  us,  making  a 
sufficiency  of  woolen  goods.  They  do  not  make  enongh  cotton  goods 
for  the  rcfjuirements  of  the  department. 

Having  almost  exhausted  this  department  in  the  way  of  cooking 
utensils  and  wishing  to  increase  the  making  of  tents,  I  dispatched 
Major  Whitfield  to  Mobile  and  Columbus,  Georgia,  to  contract  for  a 
large  supply  of  both.  At  the  same  time,  he  was  charged  to  examine 
into  and,  if  possible,  correct  evils  complained  of  in  regard  to  the 
Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad.  I  have,  in  addition  to  supplies  set  forth  in 
13 


194 

accompanying  reports,  twelve  thousand  shirts,  the  same  number  of 
drawers,  and  twenty-eight  thousand  pounds  of  leather. 

In  regard  to  the  means  of  transportation,  I  would  state  that  the 
Dixie  works,  at  Canton,  and  other  contractors,  furnish  fifty  wagons 
per  month.  Harness  is  also  made  sufficiently  fast  to  supply  the 
demand.  The  quartermasters  at  Enterprise,  Columbus,  and  Port 
Hudson  are  authorized  to  purchase  horses  and  mules.  We  have,  up 
to  this  time,  had  mules  on  hand  fully  sufficient  for  all  demands 
made  upon  us,  and  fully  one  hundred  and  fifty  mules  remain,  and 
though  these  are  required,  being  young  and  afflicted  with  distemper, 
they  are  not  of  much  service  now.  I  have  one  hundred  horses,  pur- 
chased in  Tennessee,  which  I  expect  here  every  day,  and  purchase 
on  an  average  one  hundred  per  month 

In  regard  to  the  more  important  subject  of  corn  and  fodder,  I  have 
the  honor  to  state  that  I  am  informed  by  the  reports  of  Captain  D. 
H.  Thomas,  Major  J.  W.  Patton,  and  Captain  O'Neill,  that  there  is 
now  in  store  in  Vicksburg,  belonging  to  this  department,  thirty  thou- 
sand bushels  of  corn,  over  halt  of  which  is  in  sacks.  I  have,  through 
my  agents  on  the  Yazoo  river,  already  purchased  one  hundred  thou- 
sand bushels  of  corn,  an  amount  of  which,  fully  sufficient  for  the 
wants  of  Vicksburg,  is  to  be  delivered  at  Snyder's  Bluff.  Under 
instructions,  a  wagon  train  of  one  hundred  teams,  is  to  be  constantly 
engaged  in  transporting  corn  to  Vicksburg,  and  so  far  as  this  depart- 
ment is  concerned,  Captain  O'Neill,  in'-^harge  of  forage  at  Vicks- 
burg, is  instructed  to  supply  the  animals  entirely  from  the  bluff,  and 
not  to  encroach  on  that  in  store. 

The  reports  of  Major  Bennett  and  Captain  Raphael,  at  Port  Hud- 
son, advise  me  there  are  thirty  thousand  bushels  now  stored  at  that 
point.  At  this  place  and  Forest,  before  transferring  any  corn  to  the 
subsistence  department,  we  had  twenty -five  thousand  bushels  in  sacks. 
I  am  informed  by  the  report  of  Captain  F.  Ingate,  quartermaster  at 
Okalona,  that  he  has  already  shipped  to  Meridian  and  Enterprise 
about  twenty  thousand  bushels,  and  that  he  has  engaged  on  the 
Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad  sixty-eight  thousand  bushels.  Captain  W. 
B.  Lucas,  of  Macon,  reports  five  thousand  bushels.  I  have  given 
instructions  to  quartermasters  and  agents  to  purchase  all  that  can 
be  procured,  and  I  have  good  reason  to  believe  that  our  supply  will 
be  abundant.  I  have  directed  Mr.  McFarland,  my  agent  on  the 
Yazoo,  to  use  every  boat  on  that  river  to  facilitate  the  purchase 
and  transportation  of  corn,  and  I  know  that,  with  the  assistance  I 
have  sent  him,  as  well  as  that  he  will  employ,  that  he  will  employ 
all  means  to  accomplish  the  prompt  collection  of  all  the  corn  to  be 
procured  on  that  river  and  its  tributaries. 

I  should  also  state  that  we  have  made  large  engagements  of  fod- 
der. As  soon  as  the  press  for  removal  of  troops  is  over,  we  will  fur- 
nish  it   as   required. 

I  know  of  no  way  to  supply  Port  Hudson  during  the  blockade 
of  the  river,  than  by  sending  forward  corn  from  this  place.  If 
you  direct,  I  will  commence  this  transportation. 


195 

I  will  retxm  my  efforts  to  procuro  forage  and  allow  no   chanca 
to  pass. to  procure  ererything  required  in  my  department. 
I  am,  Colonel,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

L.  MIMS, 
Major  and  Chief  Quartermaster, 
Department  3lfss'.^sippi  and  East  Louistanji. 


APPE^^D!X 


TO 


GENERA 


NEKTON'S  EEFORT. 


• 


LETTER  OF  SECRETARY  OF  WAR 


TO 


GENERAL  PEMBERTOISr. 


C.  S.  A.,  War  Department,      ) 
Richmond,  October  let,  1863.  ) 

Lieutenant  General  J.  C.  Pemberton, 

Richmondy  Va.  : 

General  :  At  the  suggestion  of  the  President,  I  would  call  your 
attention  to  several  points  in  your  recent  report  of  operations 
in  Mississippi,  "which  it  would  be  gratifying  to  me  to  have  elucidated 
or  explained. 

The  first  dispatch  of  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  from  Jackson, 
instructed  you  to  advance  and  attack  in  the  rear  the  corps  of  the 
enemy  at  Clinton,  and  promised  co-operation  in  such  attack,  on  his 
part.  Clinton  was  on  the  railroad  between  General  Johnston  and 
Jackson,  and  yourself  at  Edward's  Depot.  I  understood  this  direc- 
tion to  instruct  you  to  march  towards  Clinton  at  once,  and  by  the 
direct  or  nearest  route,  considering  the  rear  to  be  the  side  most  remote 
from  him,  (General  Johnston,)  and  nearest  you,  and  not  to  have  con- 
templated that  you  should  make  a  detour  to  come  around  on  the  rear 
of  the  line  bj  which  the  enemy  had  advanced  towards  Clinton.  Was 
a  different  view  entertained  by  you  of  the  intent  of  this  order  ? 

As  the  object  of  the  order  was  to  have  the  corps  at  Clinton 
promptly  assailed  while  separate  and  beyond  support,  I  have  sup- 
posed it  contemplated  immediate  movement  on  your  part,  to  execute 
it,  and  that  the  distance  was  not  so  great  but  that  you  might,  could 
you  have  marched  at  once,  have  reached  and  struck  the  corps  in  from 
twelve  to  twenty-four  hour. 

Will  you  state  the  distance,  and  what  obstacles  preevonted  move- 
ment on  your  part  for  some  twenty-six  hours  ? 

I  have  deemed  it  unfortunate  that  on  receiving  this  first  dispatch  from 
Gen.  Johnston,  you,  knowing  that  he  must  necessarily  be  very  imper- 
fectly acquainted  with  your  position  and  resources,  as  well  as  with 
the  movements  and  forces  of  the  .  enemy,  did  not  take  the  responsi- 
bility of  acting  on  your  better  knowledge,  and  maintain  your  pre- 
conceived plan,  or  if  unwilling  to  do  that,  that  you  did  not  at  once 
carry  out  strictly  the  order  received.     It  appears  to  me  the  more  to 


200 

be  regretted,  that,  having  written  to  General  Johnston  that  you  would 
move  at  once,  though  against  your  judgment,  in  execution  of  his  in- 
structions, you  should  afterwards  have  so  far  deviated  from  them  as  to 
resolve  to  direct  your  movements  towards  Raymond  instead  of  towards 
Clinton.  When  you  came  to  this  resolve,  you  at  once  informed  Gen. 
Johnston,  but  it  happened,  unfortunately,  that  after  the  receipt  of 
your  first,  Gen.  Johnston  had  been  compelled  to  act  by  the  advance  of 
the  enemy  on  Jackson,  and  to  proceed  in  evacuating,  on  the  supposi- 
tion that  you  were  executing  his  first  orders,  and  that  you  were  more 
easily  to  be  approached  by  his  moving  out  to  the  north  rather  than  to 
the  south  of  the  Vicksburg  railroad.  Had  he  known  of  your  pur- 
pose to  move  toward  Raymond,  the  reasonable  inference  is,  he  would 
have  directed  his  movements  southward,  or  more  in  the  direction  of 
your  proposed  advance.  I  think  it  not  unlikely  misapprehension  on 
this  subject  prevented  his  so  moving  as  to  have  enabled  him  to  have 
taken  part  in  the  battle  so  soon  to  be  fought  by  you. 

Will  you  explain  more  fully  the  motives  for  your  deviation  from 
the  direct  execution  of  the  instructions,  and  the  consequences  which 
in  your  judgment  would  ha-ve  resulted  from  pursuing  the  instructions 
literally. 

Were  you  acquainted  with  the  movements  of  the  several  corps  of 
the  enemy,  when,  as  it  appears,  they  were  separated  into  two  or  more 
distinct  columns,  separated  by  twelve  or  fifteen  miles,  and  when  you 
were  nearer  to  one,  and  perhaps  to  two,  than  they  were  to  each  other, 
could  you  not  have  struck  at  one  separately,  and  if  so,  what  reasons 
induced  you  to  wait  till  nearly  all  their  several  forces  concentrated 
and  attacked  you  on  your  march  in  obedience  to  General  Johnston's 
renewed  order  ? 

While  I  have  not  approved  General  Johnston's  instructions — as  un- 
der the  circumstances,  I  think  it  would  have  been  better  to  have  left 
you  to  the  guidance  of  your  superior  knowledge  of  the  position,  and 
your  own  judgment — I  confess  to  have  been  surprised  that,  seeing  he 
had  taken  the  responsibility  of  positive  directions  with  a  view  to  a 
prompt  attack  on  a  separate  detachment  of  the  enemy,  you  had  not 
seized  the  occasion,  while  they  were  severed,  to  attempt  the  blow.  I 
consider  the  essential  part  of  his  orders  to  have  been  immediate  ad- 
vance and  attack  wi  a  separate  column,  and  that  if  you  could  not  exe- 
cute that,  you  would  have  been  well  justified  in  attempting  no  other 
compliance,  and  falling  back  on  your  previous  plan.  As  it  was, 
V either  plan  was  pursued,  and  invaluable  time,  and  the  advantage  of 
position,  were  lost  in  doubtful  movements ;  so,  at  least,  the  case  has 
struck  my  mind. 

On  another  distinct  point  I  should  be  pleased  to  have  information. 
How  happened  it  that  General  Gregg,  with  his  small  force,  was  so  far 
separate  from  you,  and  compelled  alone,  at  Raymond,  to  encounter 
the  greatly  superior  forces  of  the  enemy  ?  Had  he  been  placed  at 
such  distance  as  a  covering  force  to  Jackson,  the  capital  ?  (or  with 
what  view.) 

To  recur  again  to  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  I  should  be  pleased 
to  know  if  General  Loring  had  been  ordered  to  attack  before  General 


201 

Cummings'  brigade  gave  way ;  and  whether  in  your  opinion,  had 
Stevenson's  division  been  promptly  sustained,  the  troops  with  him 
■would  have  fought  with  so  little  tenacity  and  resolution  as  a  portion 
of  them  exhibited  ?  Have  you  had  any  explanation  of  the  extraor- 
dinary failure  of  General  Loring  to  comply  with  your  reiterated  or- 
ders to  attack  ?  And  do  you  feel  assured  your  orders  were  received 
by  him  ?  His  conduct,  unless  explained  by  some  misapprehension,  is 
incomprehensible  to  me. 

You  will,  I  trust,  General,  excuse  the  frankness  with  which  I  have 
presented  the  foregoing  subjects  of  enquiry.  They  will  doubtless 
only  enable  you  more  fully  to  explain  the  movements  made  by  you,  and 
the  reasons  inducing  them,  to  the  satisfaction  as  well  of  others  inter- 
ested as  of 

Tours,  with  esteem, 

JAMES  A.  SEDDON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


t»c 


LETTER  OF   GENERAL  PEMBERTON 


TO    THE 


SECRETARY    OE    ^^^R. 


Richmond,  November  10,  1863. 
Hon.  James  A.  Seddon, 

Secretary  of   War,  Richmond  : 

Sir  :  To  your  communication  of  the  first  ultimo,  I  have  the  honor 
to  make  the  following  reply,  taking  the  points  presented  in  order  as 
you  have  placed  them  : 

The  first  order  from  General  Johnston  was,  I  conceived,  to  move 
on  the  rear  of  the  corps  of  the  enemy,  known  by  him  to  be  at  Clin- 
ton, and  I  believed  his  intent  to  be  by  the  most  dir««et  route ;  but  as 
he  did  not  in  his  dispatch  indicate  by  what  route,  it  was  consequent- 
ly left  entirely  with  my  own  judgment  and  discretion — had  I  seen 
fit  to  move  to  Clinton  at  all — to  decide  the  most  advantageous  route, 
under  the  circumstances,  for  the  advance. 

I  deem  that  to  have  made  the  movement  to  Clinton  by  any  route, 
but  more  especially  by  the  *'  most  direct  or  nearest  route,"  would 
have  been  hazardous  in  the  extreme — yes,  suicidal ;  for  in  that  case 
would  my  flank  and  rear  have  been  entirely  unprotected,  and  a  large 
portion  of  the  enemy's  force,  of  whoso  position  General  Johnston 
seemed  to  be  entirely  ignorant,  could  have  interposed  itself  between 
my  army  and  its  base  of  operations,  Vicksburg,  and  have  taken  that 
stronghold  almost  without  a  struggle,  so  small  was  the  garrison  after 
I  had  withdrawn  all  my  available  force  for  the  field. 

The  object,  no  doubt,  of  the  order  was,  that  the  detachment  of  the 
enemy  at  Clinton  should  be  promptly  assailed,  **  while  separate  and 
beyond  support."  But  was  it  beyond  supporting  distance  of  the  other 
columns  ?  Of  the  position  of  the  enemy  I  was  not  definitely  in- 
formed, but  only  knew  that  the  whole  of  Grant's  army — three  corps — 
had  taken  the  general  direction  northeast  towards  the  railroad.  At 
'  what  point  on  this  they  would  strike,  or  the  positions  of  the  two  corps 
not  mentioned  nor  seemingly  regarded  by  General  Johnston,  I  was 
not  informed,  except  inasmuch  as  I  had  learnt  from  prisoners  that 
Smith's  division  was  at  Dillon's,  and  the  rest  of  the  corps  to  which  he 
"Was  attached  was  near  him. 

Could  I  make  the  movement  on  the  one  corps  at  Clinton,  irrespec- 


204 

tive  and  regardless  of  the  major  force  of  the  enemy  ? — jeopardizing 
my  line  of  communication  and  retreat,  and  giving  up  Vicksburg  an 
easy  capture  to  the  enemy,  the  retention  of  which  in  our  possession 
I  knew  to  be  the  great  aim  and  object  of  the  Government  in  the  cam- 
paign ;  and  for  this  end  all  my  dispositions  of  troops  had  been  made 
and  plans  arranged — plans  now  subverted  entirely  by  the  order  under 
consideration  ;  for  it  had  not  been  my  intention  to  make  any  forward 
movement  from  Edward's  Depot,  "but  to  have  there  awaited  an  attack 
from  the  enemy,  (which  must  have  taken  place  in  forty-eight  hours, 
or  he  would  have  been  compelled  to  have  sought  supplies  at  his  base 
on  the  Mississippi  river,)  in  a  chosen  position,  with  my  lines  secured, 
and,  if  overwhelmed  by  numbers,  with  a  way  of  retreat  open  across 
the  Big  Black,  and  which  line  of  defence  I  would  have  then  held  as 
an  obstruction  to  the  enemy's  investing  Vicksburg.  And  this  disar- 
rangement of  my  plans  caused  *'the  delay  for  some  twenty-six  hours 
Not  having  contemplated  an  advance,  all  the  arrangements  had  to  be 
made  for  the  movement,  all  my  available  troops  had  to  be  collected, 
and  great  diflSculty  was  caused  by  the  heavy  rain  which  fell  in  the 
twenty-four  hours  succeQ^ding  the  receipt  of  the  order.  My  move- 
ment, considering  the  diflficulties  to  be  encountered,  and  the  prepara- 
tions necessary  to  be  made,  was,  I  think,  promptly  executed,  and 
without  *'  delay,"  in  the  usual  acceptation  of  the  meaning  of  that 
term. 

General  Johnston,  not  having  consulted  with  me,  or  in  any  way 
asked  for  my  plan  or  opinion,  I  had  perhaps  no  right  to  suppose 
that  he  was  "  imperfectly  acquainted  with  my  position  and  resources, 
as  well  as  with  the  movements  and  forces  of  the  enemy  ;"  but  ion  the 
contrary,  when  he  ordered  my  advance,  I  would  have  been  just  fied  in 
supposing  that  he  must  have  been  better  informed  as  to  the  disposition 
of  the  forces  of  the  enemy  than  myself;  but  notwithstanding  this, 
had  I  been  upheld  by  the  opinions  of  my  General  officers,  I  would  not 
have  advanced  beyond  Edward's  Depot,  as  I  deemed  it  very  hazardous 
to  make  any  forward  movement ;  but  would  there  have  awaited,  on 
chosen  ground,  the  attack  of  the  enemy. 

The  interval  which  elapsed  between  my  communication  (informing 
General  Johnston,  in  the  first,  that  I  would  obey  his  instructions  at 
once,  though  against  my  own  judgment ;  and,  in  the  second,  that  I 
would  move  in  a  direction  to  cut  off  the  supplies  of  the  enemy,)  was 
not  long  enough  to  change  or  interfere  with  any  movement  of  his. 

By  no  possibility  could  General  Johnston  have  effectually  co-oper- 
ated with  me  in  the  movement  toward  Clinton.  He,  at  that  time,  hav- 
ing retired  before  the  greatly  superior  force  of  the  enemy,  in  the 
direction  of  Canton,  was  some  twenty  miles  distant  from  Clinton ; 
and  moreover,  the  enemy  would  certainly  have  forced  battle  from  me 
before  I  should  have  reached  the  latter  place.  **  The  consequence 
which,  in  my  judgment,  would  have  resulted  from  pursuing  the  in- 
structions literally,"  would  have  been  the  certain  fall  of  Vicksburg, 
almost  without  a  blow  being  struck  in  its  defence,  so  overwhelming  a 
force  could  the  enemy  then  have  thrown,  without  opposition,  on  its 
email  garrison.     For  further  elucidation  on  this  point,  I  beg  leave  to 


205 

refer  you  to  an  examination  of  the  positions  on  the  map  accompanying 
my  report. 

In  consequence  of  my  great  deficiency  in  cavalry — the  force  of  that 
arm  in  my  command  being  scarcely  adequate  for  the  necessary  pick- 
eting— I  was  was  not  *'  acquainted  with  the  movements  of  the  several 
corps  of  the  enemy,"  but  only  knew,  as  before  stated,  that  the  general 
direction  of  the  whole  of  Grant's  army  was  to  the  northeast,  from  its 
base  on  Mississippi  river.  General  Johnston,  when  he  sent  me  the 
first  instructions  for  the  movement  on  the  detachment  at  Clinton,  was 
not  informed  of  the  position  of  the  other  detachments  of  the  enemy ; 
for  he  wrties  me  on  the  next  morning,  the  14th,  that  another  corps  of 
the  enemy,  he  learns,  is  at  Raymond,  to  which  he  had  not,  in  any 
manner,  referred  in  his  letter  of  the  13th*. 

Having  concluded  that  it  would  be  suicidal  to  make  the  direct  ad- 
vance to  Clinton,  I  would  have  attempted  **no  other  compliance" 
with  the  order,  had  the  opinion  of  my  general  officers  in  any  manner 
sustained  me  in  so  doing  ;  but  they  being  all  eager  for  an  advance,  I 
made  a  movement  in  the  shortest  possible  time  to  threaten  the  roads 
to  Raymond  and  to  Dillon,  thus  to  cut  off  the  supplies  of  the  enemy, 
which  a  communication  previously  written  (of  14th)  by  General  John- 
ston, but  not  received  until  after  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  sug- 
gested. General  Gregg,  with  his  brigade  from  Port  Hudson,  having 
arrived  at  a  point  near  Jackson,  and  being  without  his  wagon  trans- 
portation, was  ordered  to  take  position  at  Raymond,  (that  being  an 
advantageous  point  for  the  collection  of  the  troops,  either  to  move  on 
the  flank  of  the  enemy  advancing  on  Edwards'  Depot,  or  to  retire  on 
Jackson,)  and  on  there  being  joined  by  the  reinforcement  which  were 
expected,  and  daily  arriving,  at  Jackson,  including,  as  I  hoped,  a 
force  of  cavalry,  to  move  on  the  rear  and  flank  of  the  enemy,  should 
he  attack  me  in  position  at  Edwards'  Depot.  To  await  and  draw  on 
this  attack  I  had  matured  all  my  plans  and  arrangements,  (Vide  fol- 
lowing telegrams  to  Generals  Gregg  and  Walker  on  this  point,)  where 
it  will  be  seen  that,  though  General  Gregg  sustained  the  advance  of 
the  enemy  ^nobly  and  bravely,  my  orders,  however,  were  for  him  to 
retire  on  Jackson,  if  attacked  by  a  greatly  superior  force  : 

"VicKSBURG,  May  11,  1863. 
"  General  Gregg  :  From  information  from  General  Tilghman,  of 
the  enemy  being  in  force  opposite  the  ferry  at  Baldwin's,  it  is  very 
probable  that  the  movement  toward  Jackson  is,  in  reality,  on  Big 
Black  bridge,  in  which  case  you  must  be  prepared  to  attack  them  in 
rear  or  on  flank. 

**  J.  C.  Pemberton, 
**  Lieutenant  General  commandins^.^^ 

"VicKSBURG,  3Iay  11,  1863. 
"  Brigadier  General  Walker,  Jackson  : 

**  Move  immediately  with  your  command  to  Raymond.  General 
Gregg  has  been  ordered,  if  the  enemy  advance  on  him  in  too  strong 

*RoymoDd  ie  eight  miles  from  Clioton. 


206 

force,  to  fall  back  on  Jackson.  You  will  do  likewise,  in  conjunction 
witb  him.  If  the  enemy  advance  on  you  in  not  too  strong  force,  you 
will  meet  them.  If,  instead  of  advancing  on  Jackson,  he  should  ad- 
vance on  Big  Black  bridge,-  the  command,  under  direction  of  the 
senior  officer,  will  attack  him  in  rear  and  flank. 

"  J.  C.  Pemserton,  Lieutenant  General^ 

**VicKSBURG,  May  11,  1863. 
*'  Brigadier  General  "Walker,  Jackson  : 

**  Enemy  is  reported  advancing  in  heavy  force  on  Jackson.  Hold 
your  command  in  readiness,  and  move  towards  Raymond,  either  to 
support  General  Gregg,  at  that  place,  or  to  cover  his  retreat.  Tele- 
graph to  hurry  up  reinforcements. 

"  J.  C.  Pemberton, 
*'  Lieutenant  General  commanding." 

General  Loring  had  been  ordered  to  attack  before  General 
Cumming's  brigade  gave  way,  and  the  order  had  been  again  and 
again  repeated;  and,  in  my  opinion,  "had  Stevenson's  division 
been  promptly  sustained,"  his  troops  would  have  deported  themselves 
gallantly  and  creditably.  I  have  received  no  explanation  of  "  the  ex- 
traordinary failure  of  General  Loring  to  comply  with  my  reiterated 
orders  to  attack,"  and  I  do  feel  *'  assured  that  my  orders  were  re- 
ceived by  him." 

Hoping,  sir,  that  these  explanations  may  be  satisfactory, 
I  am,  with  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 
Lieutenant  General  commanding. 


ADDITIONAL  RflPORT 


or 


GEISTER^L     PEMBERTOISr. 


Richmond,  December  14,  1863. 
Hon.  James  A.  Seddon, 

Secretary  of  War : 

Sir:  Having  been  allowed  the  opportunity  of  reading  General  J. 
E,  Johnston's  report  of  the  military  operations  in  the  Department  of 
Mississippi  and  east  Louisiana,  during  the  months  of  May,  June  and 
July  last,  in  justice  to  myself  I  request  to  be  permitted  to  make  the 
following  additional  report : 

The  first  order  from  General  Johnston,  dated  at  Jackson,  the  13th 
May,  was  received  by  me  near  Bovina,  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  I 
think,  between  nine  and  ten  o'clock.  It  was  in  these  terms :  "  I  have 
lately  arrived,  and  learn  that  Major  General  Sherman  is  between  us 
with  four  divisions  at  Clinton.  It  is  important,  to  re-establish  com- 
munication, that  you  may  be  reinforced.  If  practicable,  come  up  in 
his  rear  at  once ;  to  beat  such  a  detachment  would  be  of  immense 
value ;  the  troops  here  could  co-operate.  All  the  strength  you  can 
quickly  assemble  should  be  brought ;  time  is  all  important." 

In  this  note.  General  Johnston  does  not  intimate  a  probable  move- 
ment of  the  corps  under  General  Sherman  from  Clinton  upon  Jack- 
son, nor  does  he  say  how  *•  the  troops  here,  at  Jackson,  could  co-op- 
erate," he  only  directs  me  for  purposes  named,  **  if  practicable  to  come 
up  in  his  (enemy's)  rear  at  once."  General  Sherman,  with  his  corps 
of  four  divisions,  was  represented  by  General  Johnston  to  be  between 
him  and  myself  at  Clinton.  It  was  not  clear  to  me  by  what  route 
General  Johnston  wished  me  to  advance.  If  the  enemy  should  await  my 
approach  at  Clinton  and  give  me  battle  there.  General  Johnston  would 
have  been  in  his  rear,  and  might  have  co-operated ;  or,  if  he  advanced 
upon  Jackson  and  engaged  the  small  force  there,  and  I  could,  by  any 
possibility,  in  obedience  to  General  Johnston's  orders,  have  come  up 
in  his  rear  whilst  so  occupied,  there  would  have  been  co-operation. 
But  in  either  event,  to  unite  our  troops  in  this  way,  it  is  plain  that 
the  enemy,  whatever  his  strength,  must  be  first  completely  routed. 


208 

I  see  no  other  mode  by  which  a  junction  could  have  been  effected, 
unless  either  General  Johnston  or  myself  should  pass  completely 
around  the  position  or  moving  columns  of  the  enemy,  I  have  no 
reason  to  suppose  he  contemplated  such  a  movement  when  he  addressed 
to  me  his  note  of  the  13th.  In  the  absence  of  special  instructions  as 
to  my  route  to  reach  the  rear  of  the  enemy  at  Clinton,  I  was  certainly 
at  liberty  to  select  that  which  I  should  deem  the  most  advantageous ; 
time,  or  the  distance  to  be  marched  being  only  one  element,  though  a 
very  important  one,  which  should  influence  my  selection.  I  have  no 
desire,  however,  to  conceal  the  fact  that  my  understanding  of  General 
Johnston's  orders  was  to  move  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  attack  Sher- 
man's corps  at  Clinton  or 'wherever  I  might  find  it ;  and  I  believed 
that  his  instructions  were  influenced  by  his  supposing  that  these  were 
the  only  troops  I  could  encounter,  as  no  reference  is  made  to  any 
other  force  of  the  enemy.  It  will  be  remembered,  now,  that  I  received 
these  instructions  between  nine  and  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
14th,  near  Bovina,  on  the  west  of  the  Big  Black  river.  I,  at  first, 
determined  to  obey  them  at  once,  although,  in  my  judgment,  fraught 
with  peril  and  absolute  disaster ;  and  so  informed  General  Johnston, 
Before  leaving  Bovina,  I  gave  some  necessary  instructions  to  meet 
this  unexpected  movement,  and,  as  soon  as  possible,  proceeded  to  Ed- 
ward's Depot,  where  I  arrived  at  about  twelve  o'clock,  and  learned 
from  prisoners  just  captured,  that  a  corps  of  the  enemy  was  on  my 
right  flank,  with  one  division  of  it  near  Dillons,  It  will  be  observed 
in  General  Johnston's  communication  of  14th,  given  in  my  report, 
unfortunately  not  received  until  the  evening  of  the  16th,  that  he 
informs  me  he  was  compelled  to  evacuate  Jackson  about  noon  on  that 
day;  thus  showing  that,  within  less  than  three  hours  of  my  receipt  of 
his  order,  he  was,  himself,  compelled  to  leave  Jackson,  the  enemy 
having  moved  from  Clinton  against  that  place. 

And,  in  the  same  communication,  he  further  informs  me  that  a  body 
of  troops  which  was  reported  to  have  reached  Raymond  on  the  pre- 
ceding night,  advanced  at  the  same  time  from  that  direction.  There- 
fore, had  I  moved  immediately,  which  I  could  not  have  done  with 
more  than  sixteen  thousand  effective  men,  I  should  have  encountered 
their  combined  forces  in  my  front,  had  they  chosen  to  give  me  battle  ; 
whilst  McClernand's  corps,  upon  my  right,  could  either  have  inter- 
posed betvfeen  me  and  Vicksburg,  or  have  moved  at  once  upon  my 
rear.  Nor  could  I  have  had  much  assistance  from  the  reinforcements 
referred  to  by  General  Johnston ;  for,  in  the  same  communication,  he 
informs  me  that  *'  telegrams  were  dispatched  when  the  enemy  was 
near,  directing  General  Gist  to  assemble  the  approaching  troops  at  a 
•point  forty  or  fifty  miles  from  Jackson,  and  General  Maxcey  to  return 
!to  his  wagons  and  provide  for  the  security  of  his  brigade,  for  instance, 
by  joining  General  Gist."  He,  himself,  having  moved  on  the  14th, 
with  the  small  force  at  Jackson  some  seven  miles  towards  Canton,  and 
thus  placed  himself  not  less  than  fifteen  miles,  as  I  am  informed,  by 
the  nearest  practicable  route,  from  Clinton ;  and,  on  the  following 
day,  he  marched  ten  and-a-half  miles  nearer  to  Canton  and  further 
from  Clinton, 


209 

Let  us  suppose,  therefore,  for  the  moment,  that  neglecting  all  pro- 
vision for  the  safety  of  Vicksburg,  and  by  Avithdrawing  Vaughan'e 
brigade  of  fifteen  hundred  men  from  the  defence  of  the  Big  Black  bridge, 
(my  direct  line  of  communication  with  Vicksburg,)  I  had  swelled  my 
little  army  at  Edward's  Depot  to  seventeen  thousand  five  hundred,  (it 
must  be  remembered  Tilghman's  brigade  was  west  of  Big  Black  guard- 
ing the  important  apprcich  by  Baldwin's  ferry,  which  was  threatened 
by  the  whole  of  McClernand's  corps,  and  he  could  not,  tberefo^jhave 
joined  me  earlier  than  the  morning  of  the  15th,)  and  that  I  had  then 
pushed  hurriedly  forward  on  the  direct  road  to  Clinton.  I  ask  any 
candid  mind,  what  would  probably — nay,  what  must  certainly  have 
been  the  result  ?  I  can  see  none  other  than  the  entire  destruction  or 
capture  of  my  army  and  the  immediate  fall  of  Vicksburg.  Such  were 
ray  firm  convictions  at  the  time,  and  I  so  expressed  myself  to  my  gen 
eral  officers  in  council,  ami  such  they  are  still. 

I  have  explained  in  my  report,  why,  contrary  to  my  own  judg- 
ment, and  to  the  subversion  of  all  my  plans  for  the  defence  of  Vicks- 
burg, I  determined  to  advance  from  my  position  at  Edward's  Depot, 
and  thus  abandon  the  line  of  the  Big  Black,  which  (although  I  had 
crossed  when  I  learned  that  the  main  body  of  General  Grant's  army 
was  approaching  the  Southern  railroad,  to  protect  my  communica- 
tions with  the  east,  and  more  easily  to  avail  myself  of  the  assistance 
of  my  reinforcements  which  Avere  daily  arriving,)  I  was  yet  in  a  po- 
sition to  recross  readily,  by  both  the  bridges  at  the  railroad  and  by 
Bridgeport,  and  thus  defend  my  vital  positions  at  Snyder's  Mills  and 
Chickasaw  bayou,  if  I  should  find  that  the  enemy  was  advancing  in 
too  heavy  force  against  Edward's  Depot.  And  I  accordingly  informed 
General  Johnston,  on  the  12th  May,  that  the  enemy  was  apparently 
moving  his  heavy  force  towards  Edward's  Depot,  adding,  "that  wili 
be  the  battle-field  if  I  can  carry  forward  sufficient  force,  leaving 
troops  enough  to  secure  the  safety  of  this  place  (Vicksburg.)" 

I  was  firmly  convinced  that  the  enemy's  supplies  must  be  very  lim- 
ited, as  he*moved  with  but  few  wagons;  and  his  dependence  upon 
those  to  be  drawn  from  his  distant  base  at  Grand  Gulf  or  Bayoo 
Pierre  very  precarious.  I  had  good  reason,  therefore,  to  believe  that 
he  would  be  forced  either  to  advance  immediately  upon  Edward's  De- 
pot to  give  me  battle,  (which  I  should  have  accepted  or  avoided,  ac- 
cording to  circumstances,)  or  to  return  at  once  to  his  base  upon  th»; 
Mississippi  river. 

On  the  7th  May,  and  previous  to  my  movement  across  the  Big 
Black,  the  President  of  the  Confederate  States  telegraphed  me  as  fol- 
lows :  "  I  am  anxiously  expecting  intelligence  of  your  further  active 
opcrntions.  Want  of  transportation  of  supplies  must  compel  the 
enemy  to  seek  a  junction  with  their  fleet,  after  a  few  days  absence 
from  it.  To  hold  both  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson  is  necessary  to  & 
connection  with  trans-Mississippi.  You  may  expect  whatever  it  ie 
in  my  power  to  do." 

I  have  now  thown  how  important  I  considered  it  not  to  advance  be- 
yond ray  direct  communication  with  Vicksburg,  and  close  proximity 
to  the  Big  Black.     Nor  tvould  I  have  done  so,  and  I  believe  that  every 
14 


2i0 

general  oflScer  of  my  command,  who  attended  the  council  held  at  Ed- 
ward's Depot,  will  sustain  me  in  the  assertion,  (so  far  as  his  opinion 
may  go,)  but  for  the  orders  received  from  General  Johnston  on  the 
morning  of  the  14th  May.  They  know,  one  and  all,  the  loud-voiced 
public  sentiment  which  urged  a^  forward  movement.  They  also  know 
(there  may  be  an  individual  exception  or  two)  how  eager  they  them* 
selves  were,  (though  they  differed  as  to  the  preferable  movement,)  to 
leave  the  position  in  which  they  had  been  in  line  of  battle  from  the  13th 
to  the  morning  of  the  15th,  and  to  advance  upon  the  enemy;  and 
they  know  further  the  feeling  of  their  respective  commands  on  the 
same  subject.  I  have  stated  in  my  official  report,  and  I  reiterate 
here,  that  **  I  had  resisted  the  popular  clamor  for  an  advance,  which 
began  from  the  moment  the  enemy  set  his  polluting  foot  upon  the 
eastern  bank  of  the  Mississippi  river.  I  had  resisted,  I  believe,  the 
universal  sentiment  of  the  army,  I  know  of  my  general  officers,  in 
its  favor,  (I  now  add  there  may  have  been  an  exception  or  two,)  and 
yielded  only  to  the  orders  of  my  superiors. 

I  do  not  say,  nor  have  I  ever  said,  that  General  Johnston  ordered 
me  to  make  the  movement  I  did  make.  He  did,  however,  order  a  for- 
ward movement,  the  consequence  of  which  would,  in  my  judgment, 
have  been  utterly  disastrous  had  I  attempted  literally  to  execute  it. 
But  when  it  was  known  that  General  Johnston  had  ordered  an  ad- 
vance, the  weight  of  his  name  made  the  pressure  upon  me  too  heavy 
to  bear.  The  council  was,  I  think,  nearly  equally  divided  in  opinion 
as  to  the  respective  advantages  of  the  two  movements  ;  among  others, 
those  of  most  experience  and  of  highest  rank,  advocated  that  which 
was  ultimately  adopted  by  my  accepting  what  I  declared  to  be,  in  my 
judgment,  only  the  lesser  of  two  evils. 

When,  on  the  28th  April,  General  Bowen  informed  me  by  telegraph 
that  **  transports  and  barges  loaded  down  with  troops  were  landing 
at  Hard  Times,  on  the  west  bank,"  I  made  the  best  arrangements  1 
could,  if  it  became  necessary,  to  forward  to  his  assistance  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  all  the  troops,  not,  in  my  opinion,  absolutely  indispensa- 
ble to  prevent  a  coup  de  main,  should  it  be  attempted,  against  Vioks- 
burg.  It  was  indispensable  to  maintain  a  sufficient  force  to  hold  Sny- 
der's Mills,  Chickasaw  bayou,  the  city  front,  and  Warrenton — a  line 
of  over  twenty  miles  in  length. 

In  addition  to  his  troops  at  Young's  point,  (whose  strength  I  had 
no  means  of  ascertaining,)  which  constantly  threatened  my  upper  po- 
silions,  the  enemy  had,  as  has  already  been  shown,  a  large  force  at 
Hard  Times,  and  afloat  on  transports  between  Vicksburg  and  Grand 
Gulf,  which  threatened  the  latter  as  well  as  Warrenton,  where  a  land- 
ing, undercover  of  his  gunboats,  might  have  been  easily  effected,  and 
his  whole  army  concentrated  there  instead  of  at  Bruinsburg  ;  and 
this  movement  would  have  placed  him  at  once  west  of  the  Big  Black. 
It  was  impossible  for  me  to  form  an  estimate  of  his  absolute  or  rela- 
•  tive  strength  at  the  two  points  named. 

To  concentrate  my  whole  force  south  and  east  of  Big  Black  for  tke 
support  of  General  Bowen  against  a  landing  at  Grand  Gulf,  or  any 
other  point  south  of  it,  not  yet  even  apparently  threatened,  would,  I 


211 

think,  have  been  unwise,  to  say  the  least  of  it.  To  show  that  I  was 
not  alone  in  my  opinion,  I  add  a  telegram  from  General  Stevenson, 
then  commanding  the  troops  in  and  about  Vicksburg :  **  The  men  will 
be  ready  to  move  promptly.  To  cross*  the  Mississippi,  both  gunboats 
and  transports  must  pass  the  batteries  at  Grand  Gulf.  An  army  large 
enough  to  defend  itself  on  this  side  would  consume  much  time  in 
crossing.  As  it  is  not  known  what  force  has  been  withdrawn  from 
the  front,  it  is  not  improbable  that  the  force  opposite  to  Grand  Gulf 
is  there  to  lay  waste  the  country  on  that  side,  and  a  feint  to  with- 
draw troops  from  a  main  attack  here.  I  venture  to  express  the  hope 
that  the  troops  will  not  be  removed  far,  until  further  developments 
from  below  render  it  certain  that  they  will  cross  in  force. 

On  the  30th  of  April,  I  received,  by  telegraph  from  General  Bowen, 
the  first  information  of  the  landing  of  the  enemy  at  Bruinsburg,  and 
on  the  following  day  (May  Ist)  the  battle  of  Port  Gibson  was  lost  by 
us.  In  corroboration  of  the  statement  made  with  regard  to  the  threaten- 
ing aspect  of  affairs  towards  Vicksburg  and  its  flank  defences,  I  beg  leave 
to  draw  attention  to  the  following  dispatches  from  General  Stevenson: 

"Vicksburg,  May  29. — *  *  *  Eight  boats  loaded  with  troops 
from  our  front  are  now  moving  up  Yazoo.  The  display  made  in  moving 
them  showed  a  desiro  to  attract  oar  attention." 

*'  May  30. — The  enemy  have  been  shelling  Snyder's  at  long  range 
most  of  the  day.  Forney  thinks  that  five  regiments  have  landed  at 
Blake's  lower  quarters." 

The  only  instructions  or  suggestions  received  from  General  John- 
ston in  reference  to  the  movements  at  Grand  Gulf,  are  contained  in 
the  following  dispatches,  which  were  dated  and  received  after  the  bat- 
tle of  Port  Gibson,  and  when  our  army,  in  retreat  from  that  posi- 
tion, was  recrossing  the  Big  Black  : 

*•  TuLLAHOMA,  May  1. — If  Grant's  army  lands  on  this  side  of  the 
river,  the  safety  of  Mississippi  depends  on  beating  it.  For  that 
object  you  should  unite  your  whole  force." 

**  TuLLAHOMA,  May  2. — If  Grant  crosses,  unite  your  whole  force  to 
beat  him.     Success  will  give  back  what  was  abandoned  to  win  it." 

The  question  of  supplies,  and  the  necessity  of  a  sufficient  cavalry 
force  (whithout  which  I  was  powerless)  to  protect  my  communications, 
in  event  of  a  movement  south  of  Big  Black,  towards  Bayou  Pierre, 
has  been  sufficiently  referred  to  in  the  body  of  my  report. 

I  have  one  more  remark  to  make  in  reference  to  cavalry.  General 
Johnston  informed  me,  about  the  middle  of  April,  that  he  had  ordered 
a  brigade  to  my  assistance.  So  far  as  my  knowledge  extends,  it  did 
not  enter  the  limits  of  my  department ;  for  a  few  days  subsequently 
General  Johnston  notified  me  that  a  strong  force  of  the  enemy  in 
front  of  Roddy  prevented  his  leaving  northern  Alabama  at  that  time, 
and  requested  me,  if  possible,  to  send  a  force  to  co-operate  with  him. 
To  this  I  replied,  under  date  of  April  20th,  from  Jackson,  reminding 
him  that  I  had  but  a  feeble  cavalry  force,  but  that  I  would  certainly 
give  Colonel  Roddey  all  the  aid  I  could,  and  added  :  **  I  have  virtu- 
ally no  cavalry  from  Grand  Gulf  to  Yazoo  City,  whilst  the  enemy  is. 


212      . 

threatening  to  pass  (cress)  the  river  between  Vicksburg  and  Grand 
Gulf,  having  twelve  vessels  below  VicKsburg." 

In  relation  to  the  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  I  wish  to  add  a  few 
words,  in  elucidation  of  my  official  report.  When  I  left  my  position 
at  Edwards'  Depot,  it  was  with  the  expectation  of  encountering  the 
enemy.  I  was,  therefore,  neither  surprised  nor  alarmed  when,  on  the 
night  of  the  15th,  I  learned  his  close  proximity.  Nor  should  I  have 
then  desired  or  attempted  to  avoid  battle,  but  for  my  anxiety  to  com- 
ply with  General  Johnston's  instructions  of  the  15th  instant,  in  which 
he  says :  "  The  only  mode  by  which  we  can  unite  is  by  your  moving 
directly  to  Clinton,  informing  me  that  we  may  move  to  that  point 
with  about  six  thousand,"  The  remainder  of  this  dispatch  is  em- 
bodied in  my  report.  I  used  every  exertion  to  comply  implicitly  with 
his  directions,  but  the  enemy  prevented  it.  It  appears,  as  will  be 
(Seen  by  reference,  that  General  Johnston  supposed  the  enemy  to  be 
Btill  at  Jackson,  when  he  wrote  on  the  15th;  while  in  his  note  of  the 
I4th,  (received  subsequently.)  the  enemy  being  then  also  at  Jackson, 
be  informed  me  that  the  force  under  General  Gist,  he  '*  hopes,  will  be 
able  to  prevent  the  enemy  in  Jackson  from  drawing  provisions  from 
the  east.  This  one  (Gregg's,  with  which  he  was  present  in  person,) 
may  be  able  to  keep  him  from  the  country  towards  Panola.  Can  he 
feupply  himself  from  the  Mississippi  ?  Can  you  not  cut  him  off  from 
):t,  and,  above  all,  should  he  be  compelled  to  fall  back  for  want  of  sup- 
plies, beat  him  ?''  The  remainder  of  this  dispatch  is  also  embodied 
in  my  report. 

I  here  insert  a  dispatch  from  General  Johnston,  not  given  nor  re- 
ferred to  in  my  report : 

"  Calhoun  Station,  3Iay  16. — I  have  just  received  a  dispatch  from 
Captain  Yerger,  infoiming  me  that  a  detachment  of  his  squadron  went 
into  Jackson  this  morning,  just  as  the  enemy  was  leaving  it.  They 
(the  Federals)  took  the  Clinton  road.  It  is  matter  of  great  anxiety 
to  me  to  add  this  little  force  to  your  army,  but  the  enemy  being  exactly 
between  us,  and  consultation  by  correspondence  so  slow,  it  is  difficult 
to  arrange  a  meeting.  I  will  take  the  route  you  suggest,  however,  if 
I  understand  it.  We  have  small  means  of  transportation,  however. 
Send  forward  a  little  cavalay  to  communicate  with  me  orally.  Is  the 
force  between  us  too  strong  for  you  to  fight,  if  it  interposes  itself?" 

The  various  suggestions  and  instructions  in  these  dispatches  seem 
to  me  to  evidence  a  want  of  clear  and  well-defined  plans;  and  all, 
however,  seem  to  ignore  Vicksburg,  the  defence  of  which  I  had  con- 
ceived to  be  the  main  purpose  of  the  Government  in  retaining  the 
;%rmy  in  Mississippi. 

I  would  only  further  remark,  that  when  General  Johnston,  on  the 
13th  of  May,  informed  me  that  Sherman  was  at  Clinton,  and  ordered 
me  to  attack  him  in  the  rear,  neither  he  nor  I  knew  that  Sherman  was 
in  the  act  of  advancing  on  Jackson,  which  place  he  entered  at  twelve 
o'clock,  on  the  next  day ;  that  a  corps  of  the  enemy  was  at  Raymond, 
following  Sherman's  march  upon  Jackson,  and  that  another  corps  was 
raear  Dillons,  and,  consequently,  that  the  order  to  attack  Sherman 
could  not  be  executed.  Nor  was  I  myself  aware,  until  several  hours 
after  I  had  received,  and  promised  to  obey,  the  order,  that  it  could  not 
be  obeyed  without  the  destruction  of  my  army  ;  but  on  my  arrival  at 


2LS 

8  Depot,  two  hours  after  I  received  the  order,  1  found  a  large 
the  enemy  near  Dillons,  on  my  right  flank,  and  ready  to  &t- 
in  the  flank  or  rear,  if  I  moved  on  Clinton.     Not  being  able, 
3,  to  make  the  movement,  I  determined,  in  consequence  of  the 
icated  by  General  Johnston's  order  for  a  forward  movement 
Dart,  to  make  the  only  movement  of  that  description  which 
•  promise  of  success  ;  and  in  so  doing  I  relinquished  my  own 
the  purpose  of  carrying  out  what  I  supposed  to  be  those  of 
i^eneral  Johnston.     The  battle  of  Baker's  Creek,  and  the  entire  con- 
sequences of  my  movement,  resulted  from  General  Johnston's  order, 
and  he  is,  in  part,  responsible  for  them ;  for  if  that  order  had  never 
been  given,  the  battle  of  Bakers  Creek  would  not  kave  been  fought. 

In  relation  to  General  Johnston's  complaint  that  I  had  made  my  re- 
port direct  to  the  War  Department,  instead  of  to  him,  I  am  surprised, 
inasmuch  as  General  J.  had  been  previously  informed  by  the  War  De- 
partment that  I  had  the  right  to  do  so. 

In  conclusion,  I  earnestly  ask  that  there  may  be  as  little  delay  &s 
possible  in  reconvening  the  court  of  inquiry  directed  to  inveatsgate 
ftho  subjects  herein  referred  to. 

Very  rosp^^ctfnlly,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  C.  PEMBERTON, 

LieuL'nant  General. 


J^Mi^ 


'/"'■'i-i:''  '.'•'Ml 


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•    •  Vi•^ 
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